Wilbur “Bill” Charles Larsen

| December 5, 2017

Wilbur “Bill” Charles Larsen, 91, of Sharpsville, died Sunday, December 3, 2017, at St. Paul Homes in Greenville.

He was born on Monday, September 27, 1926, in Corry, Pennsylvania.

He was the only child of Foster Kent Larsen and Bertha Sutton Larsen.

Bill’s father died in 1929 as the result of an accident sustained while working for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a train engineer.

Bill and his mother survived “The Great Depression,” and in the 1940’s a step-father came into his life, Joseph Frankowitz.

In June 1944 Bill graduated from Corry High School, and on June 7, 1946, he married Valeda Juanita Barton (deceased).

Together they had four children: Dr. Sherril D. Larsen (Larry) of Aliquippa, PA, The Rev. Dr. Deryl K. Larsen (Pamela) of Sharpsville, PA, Gary L. Larsen (deceased), and Barry L. Larsen (Janet) of Jamestown, NY. Bill is also survived by four grandchildren: Erika West (Scott), Christopher Ingram, Erin Isanhart (Chad), and Nicole Larsen. He had four great-grandchildren: C.J. Ingram, Bryson West, Brantley West, and Mason Isanhart.

Bill graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clarion University with a major in English and Secondary Education in 1957 with a B.S. degree.

He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and the International Honor Society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi.

While attending Clarion University, he served as the pastor of the Shippenville, Manor, and Providence Methodist Churches (1953-1957).

He then took his family to the inner city of Baltimore, MD where he served as the pastor of the Wilkins Avenue Methodist Church (1957-1960).

He commuted to Washington, D.C. where he attended Wesley Theological Seminary receiving his M.Div. degree in 1960.

Upon completion of his formal education, Bill returned to the Erie Conference of the Methodist Church where he was voted a Full Member of the Methodist Church and ordained an Elder.

He was then appointed as the pastor of the Rouseville Methodist Church (1960-1966).

He was a part of the merger in 1964 of the Erie Conference with the Pittsburgh Conference of the Methodist Church.

His next appointment was in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, The Carnegie (United) Methodist Church (1966-1976).

The bishop of the Western Pennsylvania United Methodist Church then appointed Bill to be the Senior Pastor of the Chippewa United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls, PA (1976-1984).

His last full-time appointment was as the Senior Pastor of The Franklin Street United Methodist Church in Johnstown, PA (1984-1988).

After a major heart attack, Bill was placed on permanent disability and officially retired in 1993 with 40 years of active service as a pastor in the United Methodist Church.

Bill was a caring, compassionate, and dynamic leader in the church and across the broader community.

During his years of ministry, he served in leadership capacities on many conference and district boards of the United Methodist Church.

Most notably, Bill served on the W. PA. United Methodist Church’s Board of Ordained Ministry for eighteen years.

During his tenure, he created and led the Deacon and Elder’s Training Program.

He had a special love for the Wesley Woods United Methodist Church Camp in Grand Valley, PA where he regularly served as a camp director for many years.

It is said that the value of one’s life can be measured in the number of lives one has touched.

Bill literally touched tens of thousands of lives.

He lived out John Wesley’s motto with conviction, i.e., “The world is my parish.”

He regularly ministered to every soul who ever crossed his path.

His favorite moments in ministry took place in check-out lines counseling clerks and in restaurants where he counseled his waiters and waitresses.

In August 1968 he even ministered to a cowboy whom he met in a Laundromat outside of Billings, MT.

His wife, Valeda, and he loved to travel the world, circumnavigating it three separate times.

During these worldwide travels, they always described them as mission trips rather than sightseeing trips.

Our parents reveled in their opportunities to share their witness about Jesus Christ around the globe thus creating relationships that have lasted over the course of many years.

His love for God and his passion for serving as a pastor in the United Methodist Church were beyond measure.

The scripture verse that guided his life purpose and ministry was Romans 8:28.

Bill’s greatest impact, however, was upon his family who shall miss his wit and humor, his encouragement and warm affirmation, his positive optimism and strong Faith, and his Christian witness. To God Be the Glory!

The Celebration of Life memorial service will be Friday, December 8th at 10 a.m. at Hickory United Methodist Church, 240 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, PA with the Revs. Frank Hodges and David Evans, officiating.

Private family interment will be in Lawn Cemetery, Beaver Dam, PA.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville where memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net


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Category: Obituaries