William Harrison Snell went to be with his Heavenly Father on Aug. 25, 2023.
He was born Feb. 5, 1932, in Arkport, N.Y., the son of Stanley H. Snell and Dorotha Acomb Snell. He married Helen Jean Swallen on Aug. 14, 1954, and they shared 62 years of marriage. Jeanie preceded him in death on Feb. 10, 2015.
He is survived by his brother, Stanley L. Snell, of Forest, Va.; his daughter, Paula Snell Popenfoose and husband Steve, of Warsaw; his son, Mark A. Snell and wife Kathy, of Columbus, Ohio, and his daughter, Martha Snell Miller and husband Craig, of Duncansville, Pa. He is also survived by five earthly grandchildren and one in heaven: Jon Popenfoose and wife Megan, of Warsaw; Joel Popenfoose and wife Jessica, of Warsaw; Crystal Lett and husband Jameson Lett, of Columbus, Ohio; Amber Snell and fiancé Sloan Le, of Denver, Colo.; and John H. Eichelberger III and wife, Elizabeth, of Houston, Texas. His grandson, David William Snell, of Columbus, Ohio, preceded him in death in 2010. He called his family his legacy. He was extremely proud of his 10 great-grandchildren: Hunter, Harrison, Avery, Cameron, Weston and Wyatt Popenfoose, Noble, Henning and Augustine Lett and John H. Eichelberger IV. He is also survived by nephews, Rick and Tim Snell; and niece, Pam Easterbrook.
After finishing high school in Arkport, N.Y., Bill went on to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, graduating in 1954. He met his wife, Jeanie, while at Moody Bible Institute and married her in 1954. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Greek from Grace College in 1955 and graduated from Grace Theological Seminary in 1958 with a Master of Divinity. His next 61 years were spent in Christian service. He pastored churches in Needham Heights, Mass., and Meyersdale, Pa., before spending 22 years as the senior pastor of Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania.
He served as conference moderator for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren churches from 1992 to 1993 and as eastern field director of church planting for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches from 1990 to 1998. His last 21 years of ministry were spent at Grace Polaris Church in Westerville, Ohio, from 1998 to 2019 as a member of the pastoral care staff. He was given the prestigious Pastor of the Year Award in 1999 from Moody Bible Institute. He is remembered for his dramatic preaching, his daily meditations on WKMC, his hosting of groups touring Israel, and his Daily Devotions published in Winona Lake in various Brethren publications. He also loved to lead Junior Camp and junior high and senior high campers at Camp Mantowagon in Huntingdon County, Pa.
His other interests included playing many rounds of golf at the Iron Masters course in Ore Hill, Pa., Penn State football, and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. He enjoyed grouse and deer hunting and playing practical jokes on family and friends. His ping pong skills were legendary. He traveled overseas in Europe and visited Israel several times. His greatest travel joys were visiting grandchildren and great-grandchildren in many states. He lived his last years as a resident of Celebration Villa in Duncansville, Pa. His family is grateful for the love and care the staff at Celebration Villa and Pinnacle Hospice provided to Bill.
Funeral services and arrangements are by Rutherford Corbin Funeral Home in Worthington, Ohio. Visitation will be held at Grace Polaris Church, located at 8225 Worthington Galena Road, Westerville, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 2 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The funeral service will also take place at Grace Polaris Church and will begin at 11 a.m., immediately after the visitation.
In lieu of flowers or other condolences, contributions to the Christian Service Scholarship established in memory of Bill & Jeanie Snell can be sent to Grace Polaris Church, P.O. Box 1650, Westerville, OH 43086.
Condolences to www.rutherfordfuneralhome.com.