Brother Bill Renick

Billy “Bro. Bill” Ross Renick, age 73, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, singing and praising Jesus on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Springhill Senior Residence in Mobile, AL. Bro. Bill was born on March 11,1950 in Hattiesburg, MS to Rev. Ottis Bryan “OB” and Elizabeth Renick.

Bro. Bill was a lifelong resident of St. Martin, MS. He surrendered to the gospel ministry when he was 19 years old and immediately began serving as a youth/music director and interim pastor at Southside Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS.  In 1970, Monticello Baptist Church called him as their youth director where he ministered until he married and moved to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1972.  Bro Bill attended William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS and majored in Biblical Studies.  He was Dr. Don Stewart’s Greek grader, President of the Baptist Student Union, and Mr. William Carey College in 1972.

After marrying Joette in August 1972, they moved to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. One month later he began serving as Activities Director at First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs, MS (1972-1973).  They traveled back and forth for three years to the Coast every weekend because he was ordained (on one year anniversary) and asked to pastor their mission, LeMoyne Blvd. Baptist Church (Biloxi, MS) in Sep 1973.

Bro. Bill and Joette graduated from seminary together with a Masters of Divinity and Diploma in Religious Education, respectively in 1975.  Joette was eight months pregnant with their first child, Matthew.  Bro Bill faithfully served LeMoyne for 40 years and retired September 30, 2013. He pastored a small church (3 kids and 1 lady) in a small trailer which eventually grew into a double wide trailer, into a small permanent sanctuary, and finally into a 350 person permanent sanctuary (current). Hurricane Katrina destroyed the facility in 2005, but volunteers from all over the U.S came and rebuilt the church while the church was busy rebuilding the community.

Bro Bill had a sign placed at the entry of the sanctuary that read, “Sinners Only”. He welcomed anyone/everyone who came. The number of weddings and funerals are unknown, but he was there for births, baptisms, ball games, school events, weddings, funerals, and helping people move.  It did not matter if a person was a church member or not.  Bro Bill spent countless hours at hospitals with families who felt so much comfort from his genuine caring ways.  He was ready to go anywhere and do anything for anybody with only a moment’s notice. He was truly EVERYONE’S pastor!

In addition to pastoring, Bro. Bill served as the president of Jackson County Planning Commission.  He served on the Executive Board for the Mississippi Baptist Convention. One of his favorite roles was serving as an area representative for Lake Forest Ranch in Macon, MS. It seems he recruited the whole MS Gulf Coast to attend their summer camps and winter father/son deer hunts.

Bro. Bill loved people, but oh how he loved his family. Bro. Bill and Joette were a team. He loved Joette with his whole heart.  He was a hunting enthusiast and loved teaching his boys to play sports, fish, and hunt. He absolutely loved all kinds of hunting: rabbit, squirrels, deer, dove, and most favorite- turkey.  He even taught Joette how to call turkeys!  He equally loved bass fishing.  Although his little girl, Rachel, didn’t hunt (she loved fishing for catfish though), and spent most of her time with her mom, she was daddy’s little girl. She is so thankful she lived close enough to serve her dad in his last months, as he had served so many in his lifetime. Above all of these interests, Bro Bill loved Jesus.  He “walked the walk” of being a Christian.  All four of their kids are “people” persons; they meet no strangers and love serving others.  They accepted Christ at young ages under his preaching ministry and are all actively serving the Lord in their home churches.  “There is no greater joy than to know your children walk in truth” (3 Jn 1:4). His home was an open place for anyone who needed love.  There is no telling how many adopted sons and daughters he had.  All of the kids’ friends hung out playing pool and ping pong on a regular basis.  They never knew who would be spending the night.  Youth groups often gathered at their house.  They called him “Bill-Dog” probably because of his love for beagles and rabbit hunting.  Everyone loved to hear him yell “Hot Dog” when he’d get excited about something.

In 2008, he was extremely proud to change his role of having “grand-dogs” to the best job ever as “Pop” to 14 beautiful grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by parents, Rev. Ottis Bryan “OB” Renick and Elizabeth Davis Renick; siblings, Darlene Renick Dale, Ottis Bryan “OB” Renick, Jr.; and brothers-in-law, Warren Dale, Floyd Dubose, Billy Taylor, Gerald Buchanan

Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Joette Renick. Children: Matt (Laura) Renick, Nathan Renick, Rachel (Jason) Sansing, and Jacob (Sara) Renick.  Adopted daughter by heart, April Levine (Patrick).  Grandchildren:  Jay Renick, Darcy Renick, Hannah Renick, Waverly Renick, Tessa Kate Renick, Edi Renick, Adalyn Sansing, Olivia Renick, Lyza Claire Renick, Maelee Sansing, Sawyer Renick, Lauralei Renick, Dabner Renick, and Fletcher Sansing.  Siblings: Lynda Taylor, Dottie Buchanan, and Twila Dubose. Sister-in-law, Becky Renick. Brothers-in-law: Randy Hightower (Debbie) and Larry Hightower (Charlotte). Sister-in-law: Vicki Macey (Ted).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lake Forest Ranch Camperships in honor of Bill Renick- 5326 Lake Forest Road, Macon, MS 39341. Please notate “Camperships” in the memo line on the check.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bro. Bill’s aids, Tina Young and Ellie Graves for their unconditional care/love for him.   There are too many people to name who have become like family over the past 51 years. We were both blessed to serve.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023 at Lemoyne Blvd. Baptist Church. Friends are invited to visit from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A reception will follow at St. Martin Community Center.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Brother Bill Renick.