Dr. William Menzies was one of the finest men I have ever met. He was my professor in seminary and also our school president back in the early 1980s. His life was such a blessing for all of us students.
At one time, I was unhappy with how the school management treated the Filipino staffs and almost got myself expelled because of my confrontational approach. Then by the grace of God, Dr. Menzies was appointed as the new seminary president. He read my letter of complaints and called me up. I expected a scolding but instead he commended me for being brave enough to point out the discrepancies and injustice in the school. He then talked to the staff concerned.
After that, he called me to his office again and gave me a detailed 'report' of what he had done. I never knew him to be a man of much emotion but he described that during his 'talk' with the particular staff, he was "never angrier than that time in my life".
During graduation, it was Dr. Menzies who awarded me with the first President's Award of APTS. It came as a surprise but I was very happy and proud to receive the award from him.
Thirty years had passed and now my teacher, my friend and my brother has gone to his eternal reward. He is now in heaven with his dear wife, Doris. Good bye, my brother, we will see you again.
Albert Kang
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Dr. William (Bill) W. Menzies—Assemblies of God pastor, educator, missionary and author—went to be with the Lord shortly past noon on August 15, 2011.
Born on July 1, 1931, Menzies earned a B.A. at Central Bible College (Springfield, Mo.) and a M.A. at Wheaton College, where he met and married Doris Dresselhaus in 1955. He was ordained in 1956.
Menzies held teaching and administrative positions at Central Bible College, Evangel University, the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, California Theological Seminary, and Asia Pacific Theological Seminary.
Menzies completed his Ph.D. at the University of Iowa. His dissertation became the benchmark history of the Assemblies of God, "Anointed to Serve" He was a prolific author, authoring or editing standard textbooks such as Understanding the Times of Christ, Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective and Spirit and Power.
Menzies is widely known in Pentecostal and evangelical circles as a statesman, building bridges across denominational and racial divides. He was one of the organizers of the Society for Pentecostal Studies and was the first editor of the society's journal, Pneuma. He was also one of the editors for the Full Life Study Bible and a consulting editor for Christianity Today.
"Dr. Menzies has influenced generations of students," states Dr. George Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. "His textbook, Anointed to Serve, told the history of the Assemblies of God in a way that informed and inspired. He led an exemplary Christian life, and was a model of Pentecostal scholarship and the Spirit-filled life. He always inspired me to do my best to serve the Lord with heart, mind, soul and strength. We have lost a pillar of the faith and heaven has gained a saint whose rest is won."
Menzies' two sons, Glen and Robert, went on to earn their doctoral degrees and have become respected educators in the Assemblies of God. Menzies' wife of 55 years, Doris, passed away on May 28. Menzies is survived by two sons and two daughter-in-laws, Dr. Glen and Donna Menzies of Minnetonka, Minn.; and Dr. Robert and Joanne Menzies, of Kunming, China; and four grandchildren.
In place of flowers, it is requested that memorials be sent to either North Central University, 910 Elliot Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404, or to the China Training Network, 2087 S. Celebration, Springfield, Mo. 65809. Visitation will be on Friday, Aug. 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Greenlawn North in Springfield. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Central Assembly of God, 1301 N. Boonville, Springfield.
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