Dr. William Jennings Arvin, 99, respected minister and husband of Patti Miles Carter Arvin, passed away at his home in Lancaster on Friday, May 9, 2008. Born June 2, 1908 in Estill County, he was the son of the late Hubert Arvin and Mariam Winkler Arvin. He attended Berea College and received a B.S. Degree from Eastern Kentucky University. In 1933 he received his Master's Degree in Religious Education from Lexington Theological Seminary and in 1942, a Doctor of Theology from National Bible College. He began his professional career at the age of 17 as a teacher in the Estill County School System and went on to pastor several churches in central Kentucky and Indiana. He held his first ministry at Big Hill Avenue Church in Richmond and then Perryville Christian Church from 1935 to 1940. For the next 25 years he served the Nicholasville Christian Church where he performed more than 1,000 weddings, conducted more than 1,500 funerals, and became extremely involved in community affairs.
William Arvin: June 2, 1908 - May 9, 2008
After leaving Nicholasville in 1965, he assumed ministries in Clarksville, Ind., and Bethany Christian Church in Louisville. After retiring in 1971, he served as an interim minister for many years. He served as district governor of Rotary International and was president of the Nicholasville and Lancaster Rotary Clubs and a Paul Harris Fellow. He founded and served as chairman of the Nicholasville Urban Renewal Project and was the Jessamine County Red Cross chairman for many years. He traveled to Israel, Scotland, Russia, Poland, Hungary, England, France and Germany as an emissary for Jessamine County and Kentucky. He was an avid supporter and volunteer for Kentucky Educational Television and was honored on several occasions with the state's Outstanding Volunteer Award. In 2000 he received special recognition from Lexington Theological Seminary for his service and contributions.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, William and wife Anne Arvin Sr. of Nicholasville, grandson, William and wife Shannon Arvin Jr. of Nicholasville, granddaughter, Mary and husband Mark Hanson of Atlanta, Ga., two great-grandchildren, William Louis Hanson and Edward McCutchen Hanson, and his nephew, Gene Woodson Arvin.
A service of celebration in remembrance of his life took place 1 p.m. Tuesday May 13, at Nicholasville Christian Church, officiated by the Rev. John Presko and the Rev. Guy Waldrop. Burial took place in Maple Grove Cemetery in Nicholasville. Pallbearers were David Abee, Woodson Arvin, C.V. Ethington Jr., David Hilen, Henry Knight and Lemon Lee.
Honorary Pall Bearers were W. T. Davis, Howard Fawbush, Pete Gleich, Darrell Harvey, Hervy Hilen, Jack Hodgins, Bob Keesling, Luke Keith Jr., Jack Powers, Reaford Prater, Hugh Logan Scott, Earl Shaw, Ed Wallen and Bobby Day Wilson.
Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Ramsey Funeral Home in Lancaster and from 11 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be given in memory of Dr. Arvin to the Lexington Theological Seminary.
The guest book is available at www.ramseyfuneralhome.com.
