Joy of Living Chairman
Bill Greig, II
Goes Home to Be with the Lord Jesus Christ
February 15, 2006
William T. Greig, II
An era came to an end as William Taber Greig, II entered Heaven on Wednesday, February 15, 2006.
William T. Greig, II was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Joy of Living Bible Studies; husband of our founder, Doris Greig; and father of our director, Kathy Rowland. He was also Chairman of Gospel Light, a publishing company based in Ventura, California.
In his lifetime Bill accomplished more for the Kingdom of God than most of his contemporaries. His greatest desire was "to know Christ and make Him known" which he endeavored to do through every means available.
Born April 16, 1924 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bill began his service for the Lord as a young child when He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. A degree from the University of Minnesota was further preparation for all God would use him to accomplish.
Known as a visionary with a heart for the evangelization of the world, his life verse was Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself" (NIV). This foundation gave Bill the confidence and the resources he needed to enable others to fulfill their ministries and reach many for Christ.
Well-known in the Christian community as a world Christian and champion of excellence in Christian education, Bill was actively involved in Christian publishing for over 55 years.
He began his career in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1946, following his separation from the U.S. Navy. Prior to joining the Gospel Light team as Vice President in 1950, Bill was Partner/Manager of Praise Book Publications in Minnesota. In 1972, he was elected President of Gospel Light by the Board of Directors, and Chairman in 1989.
Bill has served in prominent leadership roles for organizations vital to the ministry of Sunday School and Christian Education. He has previously served as President of the National Sunday School Association and was a founding Director and past President of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He was also a founder and President of the Minnesota Sunday School Association and was actively involved in the Sunday School movement as a Sunday School superintendent and teacher since the 1940s.
Mr. Greig launched Russian-language publishing with CREDO (formerly known as St. Petersburg Christian Publishing) in the early 1990s and was in a joint venture with the Russian Orthodox Moscow Patriarchate to produce Sunday school Bible curriculum for their parishes and for the public schools of Russia. He also served as a trustee for Concerts of Prayer International and was the Chairman of the John M. Perkins Foundation Board, as well as the Chairman of Joy of Living Bible Studies. He was also on the Board of the International Reconciliation Coalition.
Married for 51 years, Bill and his beloved wife Doris, founder and author of Joy of Living Bible Studies, made their home in Ventura, California. Their unpretentious manner and open hearts made everyone, both great and humble, feel welcome in their home, which was regularly filled with friends, visiting missionaries and people in need.
Bill is survived by his sister, Peggy Nelson, his four children and his nine grandchildren. The children of Bill and Doris have followed their footsteps in ministry: Kathy Rowland—Director of Joy of Living Bible Studies; Bill Greig III—President and CEO of Gospel Light; Gary Greig—founder and former Director of Kingdom Training Network, reaching the major universities of America for Christ, and currently Aquisitions Editor for Regal Books at Gospel Light; and Jane Greig—Executive Producer of Gospel Light Video.
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