Rev. William “Bill” Richard Gathings passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 in Venus. Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Gooseneck Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.
Rev. Gathings was born Aug.11, 1943, South Bend, to the late James “Jim” Allen Gathings Sr. and wife, Lillian Pinkston Gathings. Rev. Gathings pastored in Southern Baptist Convention for many years and before his death was pastor of Christ the Great Shepherd Church, Sanger.
Rev. Gathings was preceded in death by parents Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gathings, one grandson, Michael Lee Gathings. Preceding him in death also were three sisters and one brother, Lola Marie Washburn, Dorothy Irene Baker, Veneta Joyce Odom and James Allen Gathings, Jr.
Rev. Gathings is survived by three children, Lydia and Randy Miller of Gilmer, Richard and Tammy Gathings of Venus, and Denise and Tom Grauberger of Venus; grandchildren, Austin Bruton, Nicole Chambliss, Roy Vaughn, Kristen Bowles, Sarah Grauberger, Jaymee Morton, and Michael Anaya and several great grandchildren; two sisters, JoAnn Speck and Lawanda Baugus; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.