Bill Cathey
Age - 91
December 2, 2023
"Bill V. Cathey went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 26th, 2023. Bill was born June 5th, 1932, during the Great Depression in Cotton County, Oklahoma, to Lavern and Ida Cathey. He was raised by Ida, his single mom and lived his early years and many summers with his "Granddad" and "Granny", Cylvestor and Leona Cathey, whom he loved dearly. Like many of his generation, Bill learned work ethics at an early age. As a small child, he had many duties on the farm. After moving to Wichita Falls, Texas he sold the evening newspaper on the street corner. When he and his mom moved to Dallas, he worked for both the Dallas Times Herald and later the Dallas Morning News during his high school years. Since he had an early morning route besides his other duties at the paper, he had a deal with his mom that he would not miss Sunday School and church. He said that he didn't miss, but he might have missed a sermon or two. He always returned to Oklahoma in the summer to spend time with his beloved grandparents and work on the farms there. Bill was a born leader, and he sensed that God was calling him to be a pastor at a very early age. He preached his first sermon at the West Dallas Baptist Church at age 16. He was a prayer warrior and if you needed prayer, he was the one to go to. After graduating from North Dallas High School at age 18, Bill served in the United States Navy as a Gunner's Mate, Second Class Petty Officer, and is a veteran of the Korean War. He was very honored to serve in the military, and very proud of his service to his country. He holds degrees from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. In 1995, Hardin-Simmons University awarded him a Doctor of Divinity Degree. He met Rhea Averett at Hardin-Simmons, and they were married in December of 1956. They shared 52 wonderful years together and had three children, Dean, Cynthia, and Denise. Rhea preceded him in death in August 2009. When Bill met and married Opal Davis in January 2011, he delighted in becoming family to Opal's children and grandchildren. Between the two of them together, they have 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. "Brother Bill" served twenty years as pastor of five churches in Texas and New Mexico. He loved to preach. While serving in Midland, he had the opportunity to serve in the Midland Baptist Association and helped organize two city wide crusades. In 1977, he joined the staff of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Dallas as an associate in the Evangelism division. His area of work was mass evangelism. God gave him the ability to organize and write, which was perfect for the job, and he loved it. He started conducting revival preparation seminars in associations. The results were outstanding. During those years, he also served as interim pastor for many churches (37 interim pastorates). He was challenged with dyslexia in early life, which made learning difficult. In school, he always had trouble reading and spelling. But he ultimately became the author of several books and other materials related to evangelism. He gives all the credit to God for intervening and making it possible for him to write so many things including sermons and organizational material. Bill was a member of the Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas, where he served on the staff for 16 years. He served in pastoral care, retiring in September 2022. During that time, he had the privilege of touching the lives of many people as he ministered to them in their homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. In 2010, Lakepointe began a Sunday evening worship service at one of the Senior Adult Apartments in Rockwall, and he pastored there for six and a half years. The ministry that really had his heart was the Widow/Widower ministry that he and Opal, along with some other staff at Lakepointe established in 2011. It brought him so much joy to comfort and walk through the difficult times with those who were grieving. That ministry will continue through a beautiful couple that has accepted the responsibility. He is survived by his wife, Opal Cathey; son, Dean Cathey and wife, Beth; daughter, Cynthia and husband, Ernie Ortiz; daughter, Denise and husband, Jeff McNatt; stepson, Rick Davis and wife, Lorraine; brother-in-law, Harold Williams; and his precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many other family members and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Ida and Laverne Cathey; his wife, Rhea; stepsons, Bret Davis and Terry Davis; and many extended family members and beloved friends. Bill left us a legacy of serving God, family, service, and love. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am, on Friday, December 8, 2023, at the Lakepointe Church - The Bridge; 701 E I-30, Rockwall, Texas. In lieu of flowers, Bill asked that gifts be made to Texas Baptist Men or a charitable organization of your choice. Texas Baptist Men www. tbmtx. org"Show more
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