The Reverend Dr. William Charles Howland, Jr., died peacefully in his home in Austin, Texas, on March 6, 2012, surrounded by his family. In his 62 years as an ordained minister, Dr. Howland was a champion of the underserved, underprivileged, and those without a voice. Bill was active in the Civil Rights movement and inclusion of individuals with different orientations and was an inspiration to others in spite of threats to his own career and safety. His passion and special gifts made a difference in our world. His vision and dynamic personality influenced and helped shape the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Bill was born February 5, 1928, to William Charles Howland and Trinnie Ann Morris in Enid, Oklahoma. Bill attended Phillips University and completed graduate studies at Yale University Divinity School. Bill married Ann Chapel Osgood on December 15, 1951. Bill was ordained as a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on May 10, 1950. He faithfully served congregations in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, New Haven, Connecticut, Huntsville, Alabama, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Longview, Texas, Austin, Texas, and National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. He served as Deputy General Minister and President in the General Offices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and was Acting President of Phillips Theo- logical Seminary. Bill also served as Interim Minister in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Richmond, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland. Bill is preceded in death by his parents William Charles Howland and Trinnie Ann Morris, his sisters, Betty Howland Ogden, Mary Howland Kennedy and Margaret Howland Pinix. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Ann, his children, William Charles Howland III, Mary Howland Macferran, Martha Howland Baker, and Margaret Howland Williamson, his sister, Martha Jeanne Lawrence, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Memorial Services for the Reverend Dr. William Charles Howland, Jr. will be held at University Christian Church, 2007 University Avenue, Austin, Texas on April 7, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. A Service of Inurnment will be held at National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle, Northwest, Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the William and Ann Howland Minority Scholarship, Phillips Theological Seminary, 901 North Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK 74116 or National City Christian Church Foundation, 5 Thomas Circle, N.W., Washington, DC 20005. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705 – (512) 452-8811 www.wcfish.com This obituary was published in the Tulsa World on 3/18/2012.
