The Rev. Dr. William Wesley Elkins

The Rev. Dr. William Wesley Elkins, age 76, of Wilmington, DE entered eternity on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at home. His life was formed around the spiritual advice of St. Augustine: “Take up the book and read.”

He was born on January 10, 1948 in Rocky River, OH.  He spent his childhood in Tucson, AZ, taught on the Navajo Reservation, and West Virginia and served in ministry for many years in New Jersey before moving to Delaware in 2020. 

He was the husband of Rev. Dr. Heather Murray Elkins, and the father of Daniel Marney Elkins.

William earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona.  He went on to complete his M.Phil. degree at Duke University in Durham, NC , his M. Div. degree from Methodist Theological School in Ohio, a teaching certification in Education for the Gifted at Marshal University, a M.A. in counseling at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, and his PhD from Drew University in Madison, NJ. 

He spent his career as a United Methodist Pastor and Educator. He taught as an adjunct Professor in pastoral theology at Drew University, and Methodist Theological University in Seoul, South Korea until his retirement. 

Memberships include the Bellefonte Lions Club, the Greater New Jersey United Methodist Conference, the American Philosophical Society and the Josiah Royce Society.  He was also an associate member of the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown, NJ. 

William was a very accomplished scholar. He served as the first editor of the Journal of Scriptural Reasoning and wrote various essays, specifically on scripture, the civil war and pragmatism.  His final publication was a paper on Abraham Lincoln, but was working on a manuscript titled “The Lion’s Dream: a philosophical theology of the gospel of Mark” when the Teacher called him home.

He was the son of the late Charles W. and Dorothy Smith Elkins.  Survivors in addition to his wife include one son; Daniel Marney Elkins and his wife, Jessica Graham of Wilmington, DE.  He is also survived by two siblings; Charles W. Elkins Jr. and his wife Andi of Tucson, AZ and James B. Elkins and his wife Lisa of Denver, CO. 

A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 4pm at Church of the Redeemer, 36 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960. Rev. Ellen Kohn-Perry will be the presiding priest, and Rev. Stacy Douglas will give the homily. Interment will be at the Apple Pi Inn in Elizabeth, West Virginia, later in June.

Arrangements are under the direction of Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home in Lebanon, NJ. Vince Scarponi was one of Bill’s friends and parishioners during his ministry in NJ.

Memorials can be made to Drew Theological School Library or Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).

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