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2016 SESSION
WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. William Douglas Booth, a noted pastor and theologian who served at First Baptist Church in Hampton for many years, a religion teacher and college administrator who was a well-regarded writer and scholar, and a devoted husband and father, died on October 7, 2015; and
WHEREAS, William Booth was born in Gary, Indiana, and was licensed to the ministry when he was 17; he became an ordained minister approximately two years later at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, while he was beginning his life’s work as a pastor, William Booth continued his education; he earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University, and later received a master’s degree from Crozer Theological Seminary and a doctoral degree from United Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, before becoming pastor of First Baptist Church in Hampton, William Booth served at places of worship in three different states; he was an assistant pastor or pastor at churches in Cincinnati, Ohio; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Gary, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, William Booth became pastor of First Baptist Church in Hampton and faithfully served the congregation for 15 years; he was known for his leadership, sensitivity, and judiciousness; and
WHEREAS, William Booth was a well-regarded scholar who taught at Xavier University, Hampton University, and the John Leland Center for Theological Studies; he was vice president of academic affairs for distance learning at Shaw University; and
WHEREAS, William Booth was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Temple Bible College in Cincinnati; he received several prestigious scholarships and grants, including a Merrill Fellowship from Harvard University Divinity School and a grant from the Center of Theological Inquiry; and
WHEREAS, a talented writer and student of church history, William Booth was a guest religion columnist for the Daily Press newspaper and The Worker, a religious quarterly; he also published two books on Baptist church history; and
WHEREAS, William Booth will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Ruth Ann; his sons, William and David, and their families; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Dr. William Douglas Booth of Hampton, a noted pastor, theologian, and scholar, and a devoted husband and father; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Dr. William Douglas Booth as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.