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Wilbert Carrell
Quillen
Biographical Sketch of W.C. Quillen Wilbert Carrell Quillen was born September 11, 1913, at Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. He was the son of William Henry and Olive Mae (Behel) Quillen.He attended Lexington High School at Lexington, Alabama. Later he attended Florence State College. Wilbert Carrell Quillen was baptized August 10, 1925, by John Cruse.
On
December 29, 1934, Quillen married Miss Lennice Corine Vinson. To this union
three daughters were born: Wilma Jean, Martha Gail, and Janet La-Trive.
Places where he did full time local work were: Lauderdale County, Alabama, 1932-1940; Killen, Alabama, 1941-43; Haleyville, Alabama, 1944-71; Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, 1971-80.
States
in which he held meetings were: Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio,
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana,
Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Texas, Illinois, and Missouri.
He made an educational tour of Bible lands in Europe and the Middle East in 1958. He preached to the touring group on Mars Hill. The subject was the same as that Paul preached there (Acts 17:22-34). He baptized all three of his children, his three sons-in-law, and four of his seven grandchildren. Quillen died January 27, 1981, in the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama.
Survivors
included his wife, Lennice Corine and three daughters, Mrs. Wilma Jean Hill,
Mrs. Martha Gail Coan and Mrs. Janet La-Trive Willingham.
—In Memoriam, Gussie Lambert, Shreveport, LA, c.1988, pp.233,234
Gospel Advocate Obituary
He passed from this life Jan. 27, 1981, following several heart attacks within two weeks. Funeral services were conducted at Lone Cedar, the congregation he grew up with, on Jan. 29, 1981, by Brother Charles Kretzer and Brother Alden Hendrix, long-time friends. Burial was at Haleyville, Ala. His maternal grandparents migrated from Pennsylvania to Alabama in 1884. Their eldest son, William M. Behel, was the first of the Behel family to be converted from Lutheranism to the Gospel of Christ. He was converted by the late Brother T. B. Larimore, who later converted Wilbert's grandparents from Lutheranism. Brother William Behel was an early pioneer preacher and greatly influenced Wilbert in preaching as did his parents and friends. He was baptized into Christ in 1924 by John Cruse. He began preaching the gospel in 1932 at the Antioch congregation near Killen, Ala. Getting out of high school in the depression days, college seemed out of the question. But, having a strong desire to preach the gospel, he spent long hours studying God's Word, often memorizing long chapters. He had a wonderful memory and could always quote the scriptures of his lessons. He acquired a great historical background of the Bible, which gave depth to his lessons. On Dec. 29, 1934, he was married to Lennice Vinson who has been a loyal, faithful wife through the years. To this family were born three daughters, who too, are fine Christians, along with their companions and their children, who are older. They are Mrs. Tilman (Jean) Hill, Mrs. Harold (Gail) Coan, and Mrs. Gary (Janet) Willingham. The six grandchildren are Derrick Coan, Tara Coan, Hunter Quillen Coan, Layne Hill, Jana and Storian Willingham. Surviving also are five sisters, one half-sister, five brothers, and one half-brother. Wilbert preached the gospel 49 years without fear or favor, yet in the spirit of love. For ten years he worked at secular jobs, preaching once a month at various congregations in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee. Most of his local work was done in three congregations—Killen, Ala. (2 years); Haleyville, Ala. (28 years); and throughout the brotherhood. He held numerous meetings throughout the brotherhood from Florida to Michigan, from Texas to South Carolina, and was on lectureships at Freed-Hardeman, David Lipscomb, and Alabama Christian. These necessitated his being away from home much of the time, but his faithful wife kept the family going. To all who called, sent cards, offered prayers, visited the funeral home, or expressed love and concern in any way, may we say "thank you." —Cultice U. Quillen, 1712 Jackson Rd., Florence, Ala. 35630., Gospel Advocate, Vol. CXXIII, No. 5., March 5, 1981, pages 155,156 Webmaster's Note: Haleyville, Alabama is this editor's home town. From my youth, the name of W.C. Quillen was a household word. From a youth my father, Richard Harp received much admonition from W.C. Quillen. Brother Quillen helped my father in his early years of preaching to find churches for which to work. While at Lipscomb, my dad was a young husband and father. Quillen helped him find preaching jobs in central Tennessee to provide for his family. The Harp family has much for which to be thankful for in the life and work of W.C. Quillen. Recently my father told me that before Brother Quillen died, he and my folks would attend meetings where he was preaching, and on every occasion, Brother Quillen would always recognize my parents from the pulpit during his introductory remarks.
Lone Cedar Church And The Father Of W.C., Henry Quillen 
Directions To The Grave of W.C. Quillen Haleyville, Alabama is located in the Northwest corner of the state. Heading northwest on Hwy. 78 out of Birmingham, travel to Jasper, and turn north on Hwy. 5. Travel approx. 39 miles north to Haleyville. In town you will turn right on Hwy 195 toward Double Springs. Pass Walmart and the hospital out of town, past Needmore and you will come to an old Drive-In that is no longer in use. Just past the drive-in is Winston Memorial Cemetery. Go past the cemetery and turn right. Then turn right again into the cemetery (only one entrance). Travel straight to the other end of the cemetery and turn right at the last road. (You'll see the drive-in directly ahead of you) Then park. Go into the graveyard toward the drive-in. The grave is close to the fence. WebMaster Note: This is also the cemetery where my grandparents, Ralph & Bernice Harp, and great-grandparents, Stonewall & Leone Turner, are buried. They were faithful Christians, both men having served as elders at South Haleyville Church of Christ for many years. Many other members of the Church of Christ are buried in this cemetery as well. Also buried in this cemetery are other relatives and dear friends of the Harp family.
History Home History Index Page
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Wilbert Carrell Quillen was born on Sept. 11, 1913, to W. Henry and Mae Behel
Quillen, near Florence, Ala.
