Bishop William P. DeVeaux (STH ’68)
The Right Reverend William P. DeVeaux Sr. was born to Chaplain John and Della DeVeaux in Fort Huachuca, Arizona on August 3, 1941. After remaining steadfast to his faith and family for over eighty years, Bishop DeVeaux followed the Lord peacefully on the morning of December 31, 2021 with his family at his side.
A foundation that was WELL…
At an early age, Bishop DeVeaux saw the value of faith and service as his father was an AME student in the Army’s first class of chaplains. While his father served his country in World War II and the Korean Conflict, he and his siblings lived with their grandmother. It is the African Methodist Episcopal Church that became foundational in his spiritual upbringing and maturity throughout his young life.
Growing up in a military family, Bishop DeVeaux was the youngest of three children in the DeVeaux household. He attended elementary school in Germany. Upon returning to the states, he spent his remaining educational years on army bases in Maryland, Kansas, and Colorado. It was in the United States that Bishop DeVeaux experienced racism for the first time and decided to further his education at a Historically Black College.
An academic journey that was WELL…
Upon graduating from high school, he entered Howard University. An academically astute and socially active student, he was elected junior and senior class president as well as Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Howard University as well as a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Boston University. A believer in education, Bishop DeVeaux would later earn both his Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from Vanderbilt University.
A service that was WELL…
While a student at Howard, Bishop DeVeaux answered the call to the ordained ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Following in his father’s and brother’s footsteps, he served in the United States Army as an AME Chaplain. In the midst of enemy fire, he brought comfort and solace to troops in combat during the Vietnam Conflict.
A marriage that was WELL…
While a student at Howard University, Bishop DeVeaux met his beloved Dr. Patricia Ann Morris DeVeaux (Pam). Bishop DeVeaux was a perfect fit in the eyes of Dr. Pam’s family because of his easy-going nature, friendly demeanor, and love for good food. He was embraced by the family. Bishop DeVeaux and Dr. Pam were joined in devoted and loving matrimony in October of 1961. They built a marriage and family of nearly 59 years. To this union, they were blessed with six uniquely gifted children: Dawn, Dana, William Jr., Paul, Robin, and David.
A career that was WELL…
Outside of his military service, Bishop DeVeaux has served on the faculties of Meharry Medical College, Princeton Theological Seminary and Howard University School of Divinity. In the field of theological education, Bishop DeVeaux is recognized for his achievements as the Executive Director of the Fund for Theological Education Inc. During his tenure, scholarships to Black, Hispanic and Native American students were granted to support their theological education. Many clergy around the world credit their ability to access quality theological education to Bishop DeVeaux and his dedication to the future of God’s preachers.
A ministry that was WELL…
As an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Reverend Dr. William P. DeVeaux served as the Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Lynn, MA; St. John A.M.E. Church in Nashville, TN; Wayman A.M.E. Church in Dayton, OH and Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington, DC. While at Metropolitan, Bishop DeVeaux energized the church membership into active participants in community outreach efforts. His leadership style, academic expertise, and diverse ministerial experience aided in the upbuilding of God’s kingdom and community at Metropolitan from 1986 until his election to the office of Bishop.
On July 2, 1996, the Reverend Dr. William P. DeVeaux was consecrated as the 113th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Louisville, Kentucky and was assigned to the 18th Episcopal District (Southern Africa) where he lived and served for four years. He also served as the Presiding Bishop of the 16th Episcopal District of the AME Church which includes the following conferences: Guyana/Suriname, Windward Islands, Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and London/Holland. He then served as the Presiding Bishop, with distinction and grace, to the Sixth Episcopal District (the state of Georgia) for eight years as well as the Second Episcopal District (Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and North Carolina) for four years. While serving as the Presiding Bishop of the Sixth Episcopal District, Bishop DeVeaux also served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Morris Brown College as well as Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center. It was as the Chairman of the Board of Turner Seminary, Bishop DeVeaux and Dr. Pam established The Reverend David DeVeaux Scholarship to aid in the financial needs of Turner Seminary students.
As a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, with his dedicated wife as his Episcopal Supervisor, Bishop DeVeaux became a beloved servant of the Lord. He furthered his desire to impact the lives of the next generation of God’s servants—Chaplains, clergy and lay. He did not meet a stranger and worked creatively with his wife throughout their Episcopal service. In his ministry journey, Bishop DeVeaux became the spiritual father of a number of devoted sons and daughters.
A Legacy that IS WELL…
Bishop DeVeaux was preceded in death by the love of his life, Dr. Pam DeVeaux, and their beloved children: Dawn Della DeVeaux and David T. DeVeaux (Tina). He leaves to carry out his legacy and cherish his life well-live: loving children: Dana, William Jr. (Denise), Paul, and Robin (Charles); fifteen grandchildren, Ryanne Patricia, William Samir, William III, Alexis, Daleah, Maya, Jordan, Clayton William, Maxine, Jalen, Cameron DeVeaux, Keith David, Connor Morris, Malachi, and Joshua DeVeaux; spiritual sons and daughters, and a host of other relatives and friends.
It is, indeed, WELL with HIS Soul!
To God be the glory!
The family request in lieu of flower donations may be made to the Turner Theological Seminary
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