Dr. William A. Raws
"Pastor Bill"
July 29th, 1924 – July 20th, 2008
On Sunday, July 20th 2008 just before 6:00 PM, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, pastor, mentor and friend, Dr. William A. Raws slipped peacefully into eternity following six weeks of illness.
Pastor Bill Raws was a giant of the faith and has faithfully served the Lord at America’s KESWICK for more than fifty years. He was grandson of the founder, William Raws, and the third generation Executive Director from 1971 until he “retired.”
Under Pastor Bill’s able leadership, the ministry of America’s KESWICK expanded both in the areas of addiction recovery and conference ministry. The addition of the Saint Memorial Lodge, the Activity Center, and the Pines at Whiting were born as a result of the vision birthed in his heart. In 2007 Pastor Bill celebrated his 50th year of service as a member of the America’s KESWICK Board of Trustees.
In addition to his role at America’s KESWICK, Pastor Bill was the founding Pastor at Whiting Bible Church, and was still preaching faithfully at the early service prior to his illness. Each Sunday morning for many years, Pastor Bill has been the primary Bible teacher at the Sunday morning services held at the Colony of Mercy Chapel.
Pastor Bill also served as the Chairman of the Board for The Pines at Whiting and Christian Children’s Associates, as well as a member of the Board of Philadelphia Biblical University. He was active in Christian Camping International (now Christian Camp and Conference Association), the International Union of Gospel Missions (now Association of Gospel Rescue Missions), the Christian Addiction Rehabilitation Association, and American Scripture Gift Mission.
A private viewing and interment were held at America’s KESWICK . Pastor Raws was laid to rest in the KESWICK Cemetery and a memorial service was held in the Activity Center.
Memorial Services were held in the
Activity Center at America's KESWICK
Friday, July 25, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM - Visitation
2:00 PM - Memorial Service
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be given to the Colony of Mercy at America's KESWICK, 601 Route 530, Whiting, NJ 08759-3599. You may make a memorial gift online by clicking the button.
If you would like to express your sympathy to Mrs. Raws and the family, you can send cards and notes to Ruth Raws, 601 Route 530, Whiting, NJ 08759-3501 or post an entry on the blog at http://baraws.blogspot.com.
Please pray for Ruth, and their daughters, Jan Dyer, Judee Dickinson, Karen Richardson and Cherri Pavuk. Praise God for the life and legacy of this incredible servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that Pastor Bill was welcomed into heaven with these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Links:
America’s KESWICK
the Pines at Whiting
www.thepinesatwhiting.org
Whiting Bible Church
Philadelphia Biblical University
www.pbu.edu
Christian Camp & Conference Association
Association of Gospel Rescue Missions
www.agrm.org
Christian Children’s Associates
www.adventurepals.com
American Scripture Gift Mission
www.asgm.com