Dr. William Ray “Bill” McCollum, 90, died September 13, 2011 in Winston-Salem, NC.  He was born May 20, 1921 in Danville, Virginia.  He married the love of his life, Martha Lillian Hill, August 1, 1945 in Washington, DC. They shared 53 years together prior to her death in 1999.

Beloved father and grandfather, he is survived by daughter Pat Crowder,  her husband Berry, and grandsons Buddy and Ray of Trinity, NC; daughter Susie McCollum of Winston-Salem, NC; and daughter Ruthie Sears,  her husband Clark, and granddaughter Katie of Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Dr. McCollum answered the call to Baptist Ministry in 1956. He received a BA degree from Averett College, Bachelor and Master of Divinity degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Luther Rice Seminary.  His pastorates included Tomahawk Baptist Church in Midlothian, VA, Druid Hills Baptist Church in Danville, VA,  Mt Harmony Baptist Church in Rougemont, NC, Webber Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, and Island Creek Baptist Church in Henderson, NC.  He served as Director of Missions for the Tar River Baptist Association in Louisburg, NC prior to retiring and moving to Winston-Salem in 1986 to be near family.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.

He was rarely seen without his beloved Bible under his arm, almost until his final breath.  Dr. McCollum had a lifelong passion for serving the Lord, his churches and his family. As time allowed, he also enjoyed fishing, Braves baseball, writing, traveling, and jazz.

A graveside funeral service was held Friday, September 16, at 2pm, at Danville Memorial Gardens in Danville, VA. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Paid Obituary