Bill Autry Funeral
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The Heart of a Servant
The Heart of a Servant
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Bill and Sandra met us at the house when we came in from Tennessee.
Bill and I bonded on this one thing: Serving the Community
When I told the church on my first Sunday, that God had called me here to Pastor this community and not just this church, something clicked. Bill wanted me to serve the Bethany Fire Department as Chaplain, and what an honor that has been for the last 22 years. They even sent through a Chaplain certification course with the Intl Fellowship of Chaplains. Pastor Randall and I did that class together.
He wanted me to have the uniform - the whole 9 yards.
His passion for the Bethany FD was contagious. It was so contagious that my youngest son, Josiah, wanted to join up and become a firefighter - and he did. He sends his love, chief Jason and family.
I have heard Pastors talk of their church not wanting to be involved in their community and afterward, would say, I’m sure you know how it is. And I would just smile and say nothing - cause I didn’t know how it was.
I can honestly say that there was never anything I ever suggested about serving the community that Bill was not behind me on. If it came to the community - Bill was ready to go.
We have served 400 homeless in one day in East Fayetteville behind the car wash, with Bill and ML Core on the grill.
We have served at least ten thousand free hot dogs in our annual carnival.
Bill would always make sure South River had the power on at the ball field and e every year there were at least 2 of the 50 year old plugs that he had to rewire so we didn’t start a Fire right across the street from the Fire Dept. I would ask, Bill you think those old circuits are going to work.
He would say, It’ll be alright.
Then he would grin real big and say, The Fire Dept is right there. Them Bethany boys can put it out.
He also served hard in this church.
When I talked to our team about doing more than a cookie and a drink on Wednesday night
He and Sandra cooked thousands of meals every year starting on a 1957 four burner electric stove. Serving a 100 plus every Wednesday.
He served his friends:
Borrowing the motorhome - handful of corn.
We tried to serve him back but we weren’t as good at it. Moving the camper.
He served botht eh church and community with the Food Pantry:
Lady at Dollar General. He was a unique individual.
Finally, Bill served his God.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
