October 22, 2024
William Winfield “Bill” Price was born in LaGrange, Ga. on April 4, 1935, the second of five children to the late Lewis and Pearl G. Price, Sr. He died peacefully on March 12, 2022.
A 1952 graduate of LaGrange High School, he was a class officer, a member of various school clubs, and a “Granger”, who played on LHS’ football, basketball, and tennis teams. He played center in the 1952 GACA North/South Class AA/A All-Star football game, and was a member of the LHS 1952 GA State Championship basketball team. In high school, he committed his life to serving God.
In 1956 Bill graduated with a double major in English and History from Furman University in Greenville, SC, where he was on the football and tennis teams, as well as a member of the Student Council, the Ministerial Union, and SAE Fraternity.
After receiving a Bachelor of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., Bill was ordained as a Minister in 1959 at First Baptist Church, LaGrange. He then received a Master's of Divinity in 1962 while serving as a Hospital Chaplain and Counselor, and Chaplain to Students, Director of BSU, at UNC, Chapel Hill. Shortly thereafter Bill moved to Germany where he received his Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Göttingen. During this time, he was pastoring a church of American military families.
Bill returned to LaGrange in 1966 and joined the Religion and Philosophy Department at LaGrange College, as well as preached in several churches within Troup County.
In 1969 Bill met and married Christiane Bosse (from Berlin, Germany), who was teaching German at Furman University. They both taught at Furman before moving to Atlanta, where Bill taught Religion at Mercer University, and later became the Pastor of Emory Baptist Church. He then pursued PostDoctoral Theological Research as a Fellow at Yale Divinity School, while pastoring a mission church in West Hartford, CT. After his Post-Doctoral studies, Bill and Christiane moved to England where Bill continued Theological Research at Oxford University, and preached at several local churches.
After moving back to LaGrange with his family, Bill became Director of Missions for Troup County Baptist Association in 1986. He lead annual Children's Summer Camps at Rockridge Assembly in Franklin, while also serving on their Board. He was dedicated to sharing God’s love as “faith in action.”
The 1996 Olympic Games were a highlight of Bill’s life; he represented his hometown of LaGrange as an Olympic torch bearer. He ministered to Olympic athletes, and after retiring from the Association in 1999, he volunteered for “Olympic Town.” Of the many accomplishments in his life, one that he was very proud of was being part of a growing ministry, consisting of 39 churches, including the first African American and Hispanic fellowships within the Troup County Baptist Association.
In his retirement, Bill continued his theological research and enjoyed teaching at Columbus State University. As host father, he mentored many international students and teachers, making them feel at home in LaGrange. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he often taught Sunday School classes, LaGrange Rotary Club,“Sons of LaFayette”, L.I.F.E.-Sister Cities International, and LaFayette Alliance, where he was a Board member. Always a “Granger”, Bill especially loved going to Friday night LHS football games.
Bill was a wonderful father, a devoted husband, a faithful brother, and a loyal friend, who was warm-hearted, caring, had an enthusiasm for life, and loved to laugh. He is survived by his loving wife Christiane of 52 years, son Christopher and family, daughter Catherine and family, and siblings: Lewis Price, Jr. and family, Lane Price and family, and Gail Price Fine and family. Bill was predeceased by his brother Paul Price. He is also survived by his cousin Alice Kuzniak and family, and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends in the US and abroad.
The Price family expresses their sincere gratitude for the many generous donations in support of local charities that were made in memory of Bill. A graveside “Celebration of Life” service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, June 4th at the Price Family Memorial Plot in the historic Hillview Annex Cemetery of LaGrange, officiated by Dr. Paul Baxter and CH (COL) Julie Rowan. Arrangements by Higgins Funeral Home at Hunter Allen Myhand, 706-884-5626.
