William "Bill" Wolitarsky

loving family gathered around his bedside, Bill went home to be with his Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 82.

William John Wolitarsky was born on June 25, 1937, in San Francisco, California,

son of John and Eleanor Wolitarsky and brother to Ginger True Jackson. He often

told stories of growing up in the Richmond District, near the beach, with Golden

Gate Park being his playground, and working at his father’s restaurant on Balboa

Avenue where he learned a strong work ethic from a young age. He attended

George Washington High School, making many friends and excelling in

sports. As a young teenager, while attending a Mount Hermon conference, the

direction of his life was radically changed when he made a decision to surrender

and commit his life to Jesus Christ.

In 1956, he met and fell in love with Karen Austin and they were married in San

Francisco on August 22, 1958. Together, they were blessed with 61 years of

marriage. He graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas in 1960 and

continued his studies at Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned the degree

of Master of Theology in 1964. His passion and love for God and His Word led

him into a lifetime of service.

In his own words he states, “It has been a personal conviction that God has called

me to be used of Him to penetrate new frontiers with His gospel of grace in the

world around us through the establishment of new churches.” His first experience

of being part of the founding and development of a church planting project began

with Believers Chapel in Dallas, Texas while still a student in 1962. This training

helped to lay the groundwork for a cross-cultural move to Montreal, Québec,

Canada in 1966.

His formation and experience in the business world began at the John Mitchell

Company in Dallas where he worked part-time as a seminary student and was

promoted to Assistant to the Treasurer after his graduation. This employment was

a stepping stone to his employment at the Robert Simpson Department Store in

Montreal where he worked first as the Internal Auditor and then Assistant Manager

of the Sales Audit Department for five years. For him, ministry and the

marketplace were compatible in fulfilling his vision, and he often returned to work

part-time to help support his family and the needs of the churches.

It took great faith and determination to learn to speak the French language and to

be a part of the culture, believing that he could use his gifts of teaching, pastoring

and preaching one day. Over a period of sixteen years, from 1966 to 1982, this

vision became a reality with many lives being transformed by the power of the

gospel and a number of churches being established. His heart and love for his

French Canadian brothers and sisters continued throughout his life.

In 1982, Bill accepted the invitation to teach at the California Center for Biblical

Studies in Culver City, California. This move had the benefit of keeping the

family together and providing a home base for daughter, Lisa, and son, John, who

had relocated to California for their education. Devoted to his family he

considered Lisa, John, Anne and Suzy to be among his closest friends and saw

them as God’s gifts to him.

During this time Community Bible Church of Culver City was established in 1985,

bringing together a rich diversity of people who became like family. Recognizing

his need to study and to understand the challenge of establishing a new church in a

transitional community, he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Dallas

Theological Seminary in 1993. After more than twenty fulfilling years of ministry,

he retired from his pastoral role in 2006. It was his pleasure in 1994 to begin

working part-time for the DMRTeam, his son John’s company, using his skills in

bookkeeping and he continued in that capacity until he retired fully in 2015.

Throughout his life, Bill loved and appreciated people, was an encourager and was

a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, their four children, Lisa (Jay) Taylor, John

(Audrey) Wolitarsky, Anne (Mark) Evans, Suzy (Scott) Roberts, and fourteen

grandchildren, Bo (Katy) Taylor, Griffin Taylor, Jake Taylor, Marty Taylor, Austin

Wolitarsky, Nathan (Ysabel) Wolitarsky, Drew Wolitarsky, Erica Wolitarsky,

Parker Evans, Shannon Evans, Renn Evans, Zach Roberts, Joel Roberts, Daniel

Roberts, and two great-grandsons, John Wolitarsky and Olsen Taylor.

Many have spoken of Bill’s impact on their lives. He is greatly loved and will be

missed by his family and friends.

Due to Covid-19 the family has decided to hold a Memorial Service at a later date.