William Harrison Snell was born Friday, February 5, 1932 in Arkport, New York .
he died Friday, August 25, 2023. his recorded age was 91.
William Harrison Snell went to be with his Heavenly Father on August 25, 2023.
He was born February 5, 1932, in Arkport, New York, the son of Stanley H. Snell & Dorotha (Acomb) Snell. He married Helen Jean (Swallen) on August 14,1954, and they shared 62 years of marriage. Jeanie preceded him in death on February 10, 2015. He is survived by his brother Stanley L. Snell of Forest, Virginia, his daughter Paula (Snell) Popenfoose and husband Steve of Warsaw, Indiana, his son Mark A. Snell and wife Kathy of Columbus, Ohio, and his daughter Martha (Snell) Miller and husband Craig of Duncansville, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by five earthly grandchildren and one in heaven: Jon Popenfoose and wife Megan of Warsaw, Indiana, Joel Popenfoose and wife Jessica of Warsaw, Indiana, Crystal Lett and husband Jameson Lett of Columbus, Ohio, Amber Snell and fiancé Sloan Le of Denver, Colorado, 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, New York, Bill went on to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 1954. He met his wife, Jeanie, while at Moody Bible Institute and married her in 1954. He went on to receive a B.A. degree in Bible & 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, Massachusetts and Meyersdale, Pennsylvania 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 to1998. 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, Indiana in various Brethren publications. He also loved to lead Junior Camp and Junior High & Senior High campers at Camp Mantowagon in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. His other interests included playing many rounds of golf at the Iron Masters course in Ore Hill, Pennsylvania, 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, Pennsylvania. 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 43081, on Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will also take place at Grace Polaris Church and will begin at 11:00 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, Post Office Box 1650, Westerville, OH 43086. Live streaming of the funeral service on Saturday, September 2 at 11:00 will be at GracePolaris.org/watch.