Irvin, William J. (1939-2003)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Apr 7, p. 10

Birth date: 1939

text of obituary:

Los Angeles pastor, leader dies at 64

LOS ANGELES — William J. "Billy" Irvin, a pastor who worked to strengthen the Mennonite presence in the Los Angeles area, died Feb. 20. He was 64.

Irvin, pastor at Prince of Peace Anabaptist Fellowship in Los Angeles, was well-known for his devotion to the work of the church and his interest in issues related to racism and civil rights.

Irvin joined Family Mennonite Church in 1981 and became a choir member and Sunday school teacher. He also counseled church members and occasionally preached. These activities led to his call to be pastor of Prince of Peace Anabaptist Fellowship, formerly Los Angeles Mennonite Fellowship.

In addition to his pastoral work, Irvin was a member of the Center for Anabaptist Leadership. For more than 15 years, he served on several church-related boards, including those of Mennonite Central committee U.S., Mennonite Central committee West Coast and the African-American Mennonite Association. His work on these boards took him to Canada, Jamaica and several countries in Africa.

Irvin was born Sept. 15, 1938, at Ithaca, N.Y., the son of William T. and Emilia Irvin. He attended parochial schools in Rochester, N.Y., before going to Delaware State College.

In 1961, he married Sharon Irene Jackson.

Before becoming a Mennonite, Irvin attended Westchester Assembly of God in Los Angeles, where he was a member of the choir. He later joined Agape Christian Fellowship, where he formed a quartet, the Agape Faith Singers, and organized events including a monthly fun run. He also attended Daystar School of the Ministry.

Irvin was preceded in death by a son, Blaine.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Dionne Alicia Irvin; a brother, Bruce M. Irvin of Rochester, N.Y.; three sisters, Paula Farier of Chicago, Cinnamon Joyce Torre of New York and Lois Taggart Alexander of Rochester, n.Y.