MARSHALL, Texas (7/19/12)-The East Texas Baptist University Board of Trustees have bestowed the title Trustee Emeritus on retired East Texas pastor Dr. William C. Everett of Carthage.  Dr. Everett has served on the board in four different decades for a total of 27 years of service and is a graduate of ETBU, which is celebrating its Centennial Year.      

            The Trustees elected Dr. Everett to the emeritus honor during their May meeting, but it was not until recently at a private dinner that ETBU Board Chair Sam Moseley and President Dr. Dub Oliver informed him of the board’s decision. “I thought I was having a casual dinner with my old friends, Panola County Judge David Anderson and his wife, Elizabeth, along with Dr. Oliver and Trustee Chair Sam Moseley,” said the surprised minister. “I was speechless when Sam asked me how long I had served on the Board and then he and Dr. Oliver informed me of the election as trustee emeritus.”

            Dr. Everett’s terms as a trustee of the 100 year-old institution were 1971-1979, 1983-1991, and 2003-2011. “There have been wonderful events that have happened while serving on our Board,” reflected Dr. Everett. “One of the greatest would have to be when East Texas Baptist College became East Texas Baptist University in 1984. It has been a privilege during the years to have fellowship with presidents, trustees, and teachers of our fine University.”

            “Dr. Everett’s service to his alma mater is worth noting because of his work not only in the kingdom of God but to his alma mater as well. The board was unanimous in bestowing this honor upon him,” said Board Chair Moseley.

“Bill Everett represents the very best of East Texas Baptist University. His and Anita’s life of service for the Kingdom of God is an inspiration and encouragement to the tens of thousands who have been blessed by their ministry,” remarked President Oliver.

            Dr. Everett graduated from ETBU in 1957. “My fondest memories of being a student will always be meeting my wife, Anita Scott, in 1953 and our marriage in 1954. We graduated together and recently celebrated our 58^th wedding anniversary,” said Dr. Everett.

He earned both a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1963 and a Master in Divinity in 1963. In 1977, ETBU honored the longtime minister with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. 

            Central Baptist Church of Carthage was the last fulltime pastorate for Dr. Everett where he served for eight years. He also served as pastor of First Baptist of Longview for five years, Fielder Road Baptist of Arlington for 21 years, and First Baptist of Rusk for four years. While a student at ETBU, he was the pastor of Haynes Avenue in Shreveport. When he was in seminary, he served at Cliffdale Baptist in Dallas. Dr. Everett has been active in all areas of denomination life.

             “I still have an active ministry doing supply preaching and Bible conferences,” said Dr. Everett, who has retired twice in his vocational calling of being a minister of the Gospel. He also spends his time with grandchildren, family, and friends.

            “As we begin our second century here at ETBU, I can think of nothing greater than our continued growth as a student body and in our great spiritual heritage,” concluded trustee emeritus Dr. Everett.           

            Dr. Everett now joins the two other emeritus members of the ETBU Board of Trustees, Dr. Welby Edwards and Dr. Louise Ornelas, both of Tyler.