W. E. Dowell
1914-2002
A Tribute And Legacy
President Baptist Bible
College
1975-1983
Dr. Dowell's Personal Beginning Biography
William Edgar Dowell, born July 8, 1914 in Redbank,
Texas, The youngest of ten children of a farmer and Baptist Preacher Albin
Dowell. His precious mother Elizabeth, prayed at his birth, that one day
her son would be called to preach. His godly environment of Bible Training
introduced him to a life of serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The young man for whom his mother had prayed was called to preach one cold, winter night at the age of 19, while visiting Edgar who pastored in Merkel, Texas. At a prayer meeting, after his brother's sermon on dedication to God, Dr. Dowell promptly answered God's call to preach, determining that, live or die, he would preach the Gospel. He began his ministry by helping with the young people and assisting in other aspects of the church which his father pastored. During another visit to Merkel, Texas for a holiday family reunion, Dr. Dowell met his future wife, Nola, who was conducting a young people's Christmas Program. Mrs. Nola Dowell was 91 years old and still going strong last I heard 4 years ago. One of his brothers jokingly confided in him, "If I were you, I'd marry that girl." Dr. Dowell took another good look and replied, "You know, I just might do that!" Later that evening, when his sister told him she was going to walk Nola home and invited him to join them, Dr. Dowell quickly responded "I'd like to go, but I don't think it would be necessary for you to come along." Soon thereafter, Dr. Dowell and Nola fell in love. They were married on September 2, 1934. Historical Biography Of Service To Our Lord Dr. Dowell followed in his brothers footsteps as Pastor
of the Northside Baptist Church of Merkel, Texas, his first pastorate. He
would later spend six years in California, where he Pastored Churches in
Lynwood and La Habra, and organized churches in Corcoran First Missionary
Baptist Church and South Gate Fundamental Baptist Church. Then in 1941,
the High Street Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri, called Dr. Dowell
as their Pastor. During the 22 fruitful years he spent pastoring the
Church, the attendance grew from 400 to 2,700 members. He had a daily
radio program as well as two weekly television programs. Personal Family Biography Dr. and Mrs. Dowell have three children. Janet, who is married to Bernie Rodgers, a long time pastor and evangelist living in Ocala, Florida. Bill, Jr. who succeeded his father as pastor of Baptist Temple and now serves as Academic Dean at Baptist Bible College and Clyde, who Pastors the Laurel Baptist Temple in Laurel, Maryland. He is also survived by his precious wife Nola, now 91, nine grandchildren, twenty two great grandchildren and five great, great, grandchildren.
A Tribute From A Son Bill Dowell, Jr. revealed his personal feelings toward
his father, "I thank God for a father who carries greatness with a humble
spirit - a man who has maintained the qualities which made him great:
honesty, integrity, compassion, conviction, courage, humility, and good
judgment. He has been affectionately called a big teddy bear because he is
so gentle and lovable. But he is bold as a lion when he is fighting for
the things in which he believes. Perhaps he stands as the most loved and
respected man in the Baptist Bible Fellowship because of his great
character and integrity. He is, in summary, the greatest man I've ever
known." More Pictures to
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