Minister To Deliver His Last Sermon

HUDSON - After preaching nearly 2,000 sermons in more than 50 years as a minister, the Rev. William Whitledge plans to retire Sunday.

Actually, the 80-year-old Whitledge will be retiring from the ministry for the second time when he steps down as the parish associate at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church.

Whitledge retired the first time in 1988, leaving St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Livonia, Mich., where he'd been the senior pastor since 1961. He and his wife, Virginia, moved to Florida in 1988, and Whitledge became active in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay. He became the parish associate at St. Mark's in 1993.

While still new to Florida, Whitledge reconnected with an old friend at the church.

'Bill has been one of my best friends for 25 years,' said the church's pastor, Kenneth Gruebel. 'We were a little hesitant at first about working together, but it just enhanced our friendship. We've been through a lot together and truly were a team.'

The two met through the Detroit Presbytery, and Whitledge was part of the committee that chose Gruebel as St. Mark's pastor.

In convincing Whitledge to come out of retirement, the congregation landed a man with ministerial experience.

The Henderson, Ky., native grew up in the Central Presbyterian church. While at Evansville College in Indiana, which he entered after naval service during World War II, Whitledge worked as a student pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Branch. He earned his master of divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1953 and became pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Albion, Mich., the following year.

While at St. Paul's, Whitledge was active in the Presbytery of Detroit and served as its moderator in 1973. Whitledge chaired the committee on ministry for six years and was active in the Synod of Michigan and the Synod of the Covenant.

After preaching his last service at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, Whitledge said he has no plans to slow down.

'I've got many friends across the country, and I plan on doing a lot of traveling and visiting after my retirement,' he said.

A reception in Whitledge's honor will follow the service.

To suggest a Faith in Focus feature, call Diane Loebel, (727) 815-1081; write her at The Tampa Tribune, 6214 U.S. 19 New Port Richey FL 34652; or e-mail her at dloebel@tampatrib.com.

ST. MARK'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

WHERE: 7922 State Road 52, Hudson

SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Sunday only; regular schedule is 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.; adult education 9:15 a.m.; Sunday school, 10:45 a.m.

CALL: (727) 863-5646