Rev. William A. Blair, 83, of Marion Center, lived his whole life loving and serving Jesus, his family, and others. On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, he left this earth surrounded by his loving family and the compassionate staff of the Indiana Regional Medical Center’s ICU. He entered Heaven’s gates at 3:30 PM to hear his Lord and Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21).
On October 29, 1937, the home of a young pastor, Rev. Clyde and Erma (Moore) Blair, in Warren, PA, was blessed with the birth of the first of their four sons. William graduated from Garfield High School, Akron, OH, in 1955. He married his sweetheart, love of his life, and lifetime partner in ministry, Phyllis Ann McCracken, on Jan. 20, 1956. God blessed them with 66 years of happy married life together. William worked at Firestone and Goodyear in Akron, Ohio. He earned a BA from Malone University, Canton, OH, in 1967, and went on to earn an MA from Hood College, Frederick, MD, in 1987.
William answered God’s call to follow in the footsteps of his father and father-in-law and began to serve as a pastor of a Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canton, OH, in 1963. He continued to serve Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Churches for 32 years in congregations in Punxsutawney, Indiana, Falconer, NY., Hagerstown, MD., and Keyser, WV. He also spent a year in Christian education to Native Americans in Custer, SD (1967-68), and nine years as the president of Allegheny Wesleyan College in Salem, OH (1988-97). Throughout his years of ministry, he served in many leadership positions for the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection of Churches headquartered in Salem, OH. His ministry was marked with wisdom, integrity, and compassion, and countless lives have been impacted by his willingness to allow God to work through him.
William and Phyllis were blessed with two children, Kathy (Thomas) Wallace and William (Elisabeth) Blair II. His grandchildren, who describe him as ornery, intelligent, loving, sweet, and godly are: Julia Wallace, Shandra (Jeremy) Mayhle-Rhine, Krista (Ben) Toth, William (Brooklyn) Blair III, Kayla (Andrew) Toth, and Kimberly Blair. He has 15 great-grandchildren: Kenton, Taylor, Vincent, Jennifer, Kendra, Alyssa, Brooklyn, Laylah, Emma, Colt, Weston, Winston, Carter, Liam, and Wellington. While sorrowing his earthly departure, his family rejoices that his suffering is over—he has reached the finish line and his reward! They are determined to pick up his torch and continue the race—and meet him again in Heaven!
Also sorrowing his loss are his brother, Drs. Don (Nancy) Blair, of Syracuse, NY; sister-in-law, Ruth Blair, of Alexandria, VA; brother Harold (Jeri) Blair of Erie, PA; sister-in-law, Jean Leach, of Acworth, GA; sister-in-law, Mary Jacobs, of Canton, OH; brother-in-law, Rev. Alan (Lois) McCracken, of Niles, OH; and many nephews and nieces.
Waiting at the gates of heaven for William were his parents, Rev. Clyde and Erma Blair; his in-laws, Rev. T. O. and Elsie McCracken; his brother, Gerald Blair; and his grandson-in-law, Pittsburgh Police Officer Stephen J. Mayhle.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing” (II Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV)
All services will be held at the Indiana Wesleyan Methodist Church, 1201 Church Street in Indiana. Viewing on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Viewing on Monday from 12 to 1 p.m. Celebration of Life service Monday at 1 p.m. Officiants will be Rev. David Blowers, AWMC president; Rev. Michael Marshall, former AWMC president; and Pastor Benjamin Blowers. Committal at the Washington Church Cemetery in Home. Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to the Indiana Wesleyan Methodist Church building fund for the church’s new place of worship. Mail memorial gifts to: Indiana Wesleyan Methodist Church, 1201 Church Street, Indiana, PA 15701.
To view the online obituary, sign the guest book or send condolences, please visit www.shoemakerfamilyservices.com
