Dr. William Richard Read

Dr. William Richard Read “Bill”, born Aug. 6, 1923 in Seattle, WA, became a new resident of Heaven on March 17, 2014 in Jacksonville, FL. Bill proudly served in General Patton’s 3rd Army 547th Quarter Master as a Company Clerk. He was converted in the Army, which led to his attendance at Rockmont Bible College where  he met and married his wife, Lenore. After graduating from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky in 1952, they served as Presbyterian missionaries in Brazil for 20 years. He earned a Doctorate of Missiology (the study of church growth) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA and worked at World Vision International. Bill wrote 3 books on Latin American church growth. He served as a minister in Denver, CO, and then joined the Evangelical Presbyterian Church as director of world outreach. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lenore Ruth Read; 4 children, Richard, Ronald, Ruth, and Robert; 9 grandchildren; and 7, soon to be 8, great grandchildren. A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held 2p.m. Saturday, March 22 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Memorial Contributions may be made in Bill’s name to Prison Fellowship. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223 www.hgmandarin.com (904)288-0025