Deacon William Copeland

COPELAND, Deacon William - Age 76, passed away Thursday, October 8, 2015 at MediLodge of Montrose - Montrose, MI. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Ebenezer Ministries, 2130 Center Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Bishop Urundi Knox, officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Copeland will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 p.m. - 8 pm. Friday, with the family present from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. On the morning of Oct 8, 2015, William Copeland went to be with the Lord. He was born in Flint Michigan on December 6, 1938 to David & Katherine Copeland. Although William was raised in a Christian home, he faced challenges that pulled him away. God called him back and he served God through many different ministries. The first being Alcoholics Anonymous where he lived in sobriety for 39 years. He valued life-long learning and embraced it as the key to a successful life. He volunteered for Incentives for Success (helping children graduate from high school), Motivating the Teen Spirit (emotional healthiness), Amistad Academy, as a Computer instructor for 8 years (ages 8 to 89), and Landmark Education (a curriculum challenging ones view of the world from a different and new perspective, learning to live life powerfully). His Christian life included teaching Sunday school, Teen Ministry, Save Our Sons, Incarcerated Youth, a children’s instructor for seven years through Bible Study Fellowship, prison ministry at Huron Valley for Women and Milan for Men also seven years. He was a graduate of Word of Life Bible Institute. In 1979, William became a member of the Detroit Cursillo Movement consisting of 34 faiths. In 1989, he became the first Rector of Decolores Ministries (a weekend retreat in Christianity) providing focus bringing men and women to Christ. He also worked tirelessly for Promise Keepers. William was ordained as a Deacon by Bishop Urundi Knox of Ebenezer Ministries. This was one of his most fulfilling experiences. William served as president of Transition House and was on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Museum of Flint. He was an incredible builder of model ships, an avid model car collector, and great photographer. William loved all kinds of music and created an extensive reel to reel collection. He had several hobbies, outdoor grilling, history, specifically the civil war, and gardening. William was at ease with everyone, whether a child, Politician or dignitary. He was employed by General Motors Corporation and retired after 38 years with the UAW as a Computer Expert in the engineering department where he had positive interactions with production workers and corporate executives. William served in the United States Army as a Nuclear Weapons Assemblymen. He loved to travel locally, nationally, abroad and enjoyed taking cruises. William loved his family and most especially his grandchildren. Words Pam uses to describe William – Kind, Protective, Fun, Observant, Inquisitive, Caring, Faithful Servant. Dea. William Copeland leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife and sweetheart of 37 years: Pamela Loving-Copeland; daughter, Carolyn (Walter) Stewart; son, Pierre Copeland, all of Flint; son, Gregory (Rene) McKay, Lansing, MI; daughter, Michelle Loving-McKay of Pontiac, MI; god-son, Mitchell (Melanie) Harris, of Washington D.C.; grandchildren, Dimitrian Copeland, Ariane Stewart, Gregory McKay, Jr., Austin McKay, Lauren Gurley, Taylor McKay and Marcus Gurley; several great-grandchildren; special niece, Mary Helen (Anton) Jones; special nephew, Alvin DeMar III (Sandra) Loving; special friends, Lisa Nichols and McKinley (Doris) Thomas; and a host of relatives and friends including cousins, Brenda Floyd and her son, Tony (Jamiese) Floyd. Dea. Copeland was preceded in death by parents, David And Katherine Copeland; brothers, David Copeland and Larry Copeland and close friend, Amos Taylor. The family wishes to thank McLaren-Flint Staff, McLaren Hospice, MediLodge of Montrose, Dr. Sergio Ponze, Bishop Urundi B. Knox, the Deacon Board and Ebenezer Ministries Church family, and Candace Mushatt. The family also wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all of you for your prayers, presence, love, telephone calls, and all other expressions of concern that were shown during their time of bereavement. Never more than now was your kindness needed and more appreciated. All correspondence, cards and flowers may be sent to: Lawrence E Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., Flint, MI 48505

Deacon William Copeland

December 6, 1938 - October 8, 2015