Willie Claud Edmond

Willie Edmond

Funeral services for Reverend Willie Claud Edmond of Dublin will be held on Saturday, April 27, at 11:00 AM at the Everlasting Gospel Non-Denominational Church, 1300 South Jefferson Street in Dublin. . Interment will follow in the Dudley Memorial Cemetery in Dublin. Bishop Benjamin P. Collins will officiate.

Reverend Willie Claud Edmond took his last breath at home on the afternoon of Monday April 22, 2013. He was born on March 26, 1934, to the late Lottie and Wilbert Willis Edmunds, Sr., in Pulaski, Georgia. His early years were spent on the farm with the family where he learned a little about everything and anything, therefore, he was known as the “fix-it man.”

He attended the Candler County public schools including Fish Trap Elementary School and Byrd Junior High School and he graduated from Candler County Training School in 1952. He furthered his education at Fort Valley State University, Georgia State University, DeVry Tech - Electronics and E.C.P.I. Computer Programming School.

From a little boy of six years old, he always longed to have a motorcycle. Later that dream was fulfilled as he had opportunities to ride all over the United States solo, and with groups.

In 1954, he ventured to Bridgeport, Connecticut. There he accepted the Lord under the ministry of the late Bishop A. T. Turner at Turner’s Faith Temple Church of God In Christ (COGIC) and diligently began seeking more of the Lord. He received the gift of the Holy Ghost, became an anointed guitarist, and was ordained an Elder in 1964 under this ministry. He continued in the ministry at Turner’s Faith Temple COGIC until 1971 when his pastor gave him permission to open his first church, Faith Temple II.

In August of 1973, Elder Edmond and his family moved to Soperton, Georgia from Bridgeport. He later founded and was pastor at Kingsview COGIC in Dublin, Georgia. He had a love for souls and proved it over and over. He felt the need of preaching the Gospel at any cost. He had a love for Street ministry and was found singing and preaching on the Streets often. While at Kingsview, his love for souls was evidenced when he donated a church van so that anyone who wished to come to prayer in the morning, and to church on Sundays could come at no cost to them. He also purchased a bus to carry the Kingsview Mass Choir and Members with him in his Ministry.

In the secular world, one of his first appointments was as the Assistant Chaplain of the Montgomery County Correctional Institution. He was the first elected President of the Treutlen County Mental Retardation Association of Soperton, Georgia. He was the Director of the Treutlen County Heart of Georgia Community Action Council Center. In 1981, he was appointed Administrative Assistant to the Bishop of the Northern Georgia Jurisdiction. He served as the State President of Home and Foreign Mission of northern Georgia, State Chaplain of Sunday School and Regional Director for Foreign Missions (appointed by the National Bishop Moody).over four states, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina. His ministries included: Street, Hospital, Prison, Audio/Video, Pastoral, and Evangelism. He was a Bible scholar.
His greatest desire as a young man was to be a State Policeman. He was finally granted that opportunity, but out of obedience to his Pastor, he did not accept the offer.

After about two years of being in Christ, he decided that it was not good for a man to be alone. He met a young lady in the church, and in 1956, he married Mamie DuBose, and to this union were added three children: Solomon, Mary Lynn, and Martin Luther.

For almost twenty years, he worked in various occupations. He worked as an assemblyman. He served the State of Connecticut as a Correctional Officer for four years. From there he ventured into manufacturing, department store management, and law enforcement. He was a black pioneer in the computer industry. He earned a certificate in electronics from DeVry Tech in Chicago and a certificate in computer programming and operations from E.C.P.I.in Bridgeport. He worked 8½ years in IBM and NCR computers. He ran systems for the City of Bridgeport, the University of Bridgeport, Raybestos, Norton, the C5A Secret Project and others. He received his ministerial calling while working on computers.

In October, 1995, he married Bernice Holliman, and later started the Art of Living Ministries radio ministry. The Lord blessed Elder Edmond to accomplish so much in his lifetime, both naturally and spiritually. He was a true witness of God’s unconditional love and unlimited power.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Bernice Edmond of Dublin; three children: Solomon (Ronnie) Edmond of Fayetteville, Mary Lynn Edmond of Decatur, Martin Luther (Jennifer) Edmond of Hoover, Alabama, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild; two sisters, Arethia Flood of Riverhead, New York and Malinda E. Polite of Stamford, Connecticut; two brothers, Jessie (Margo) Edmond of College Park and Wilbert Edmond, Jr. of Conyers; one half-brother, Tommy (Betty) Mercer of Statesboro; two stepchildren, Michelle (Quentin) Holmes of Dublin and Katina (Rashad) Pompey of Aurora, Colorado; three step-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, guitar students, and Christian friends.

The family will receive friends at 1029 Maid Marian Lane, Dublin.

Services By Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin
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