Bishop Marion Alva Wilson

Bishop Marion Alva Wilson went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 5, 2010 at Owensboro Mercy Hospital. Reverend Wilson was a licensed minister with The Church of God of Prophecy. Licensed at the age of sixteen, Reverend Wilson served as state youth leader and pastored various churches in Kentucky, Ohio, Florida, and Georgia. He served as State Bishop in West Virgina during the early part of the 1960's. He was known widely as a dynamic evangelist and served as World Wide Evangelist for his movement. His ministry remained in constant demand until his death. During his sixty-two year ministry, Rev. Wilson preached over 12,000 sermons and witnessed thousands of conversions. For twelve years, Rev. Wilson was the pastor of Fifth Street Church of God of Prophecy in Owensboro, KY.

After his retirement in 1998, Bishop Wilson founded Rehoboth Ministries, which included "The Fountain Downtown", Re-Eagle Conferences, and Obadiah House in Fruitland Park, FL a retreat center for pastors, missionaries and evangelist. He served with a passion for unification of the Body of Christ in Owensboro and around the world. Some of his greatest work included mentoring, training and helping ministers. For this work, Rev. Wilson was granted an honorary doctorate degree from Kingsbury College in 2010.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Marion Edgar Wilson and Bessie Amos Wilson, Charles Earnest Wilson and Elson Glen Wilson.

Alva Wilson was married to Joyce Collins Wilson on Oct. 11, 1951. He is survived by his wife and three children: William Marion Wilson (Lisa) of Cleveland TN, Donna Wilson Lanham of Owensboro, KY, and Marqueta Wilson Kost. (Steve) of Owensboro, KY.

Also, he is survived by four grandchildren, a step granddaughter, and seven great grandchildren: William Ashley Wilson (Jamie, Anna, Aaron, and Amelia) of Lexington,KY Megan Wilson Edwards (Rickey,Colin and Connor) of Owensboro, KY James Courtland "Landy" Lanham of Owensboro,KY and Sara Wilson Morton (Shaun, Abigail, and Samuel) of Itagua, Paraguay, Crystal Crabtree (Cameron and Kelby), and one niece and two nephews.

Visitation will be Monday November 8 at Good Shepherd Church, 3031 Bittel Rd. Owensboro, KY. From 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Memorial celebration will begin at 7:00 PM Monday.

Visitation will also be from 9:00-11:00 AM Tuesday, November 9, also at Good Shepherd Church. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00AM Rev.William Wilson officiating followed by interment at Elmwood Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to Rehoboth Ministries 119 West Second Street, Owensboro, KY 42303.