William Klein, former trustee, dies
RICHMOND, VA (March 1, 2021) – The Rev. Dr. William R. Klein (’54) alumnus and trustee (UTS 1980-1989 and Union-PSCE 1994-1998), passed away February 26. He was 91.
Klein died peacefully at his home in Roanoke, Virginia. The story of his life was one shaped by the light of the gospel … a story through which he helped many people relate to the loving story God wants us all to hear. He was a pastor, teacher, and mentor for many at the seminary and churches he served.
After graduating from Davidson College in 1951, he took steps to enter ministry by enrolling at Union Theological Seminary (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) in Richmond, Virginia. As graduation drew near, he received a call to serve as the pastor of the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He was ordained July 25, 1954, by Asheville Presbytery. He served the Black Mountain Church until he accepted a call to the Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1959. Eight years later he received a call to his third pastorate, this time the Second Presbyterian Church of Roanoke where he served until his retirement in 1996. He was honored to have been Pastor Emeritus of Second Presbyterian Church where, because of an abiding friendship with his successor, the Rev. Dr. George C. Anderson (’85), he continued to teach and provide pastoral leadership from 1996 until very recently.
His two sons, William M. Klein (’81) and David A. Klein (’83) also graduated from Union.
UPDATE: The memorial service will be streamed April 24, 11 a.m. Only pastors George Anderson and Elizabeth Link will be in the sanctuary. Links to the service can be found on the Second Presbyterian Church website and YouTube channel.
