William Nelson Goldsmith

William Nelson Goldsmith passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at home in Olympia, Washington. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday. Bill was born on October 28, 1937 to William Walter Goldsmith and Bertha (Leming) Goldsmith. Seven years later, he was joined by his brother, David. Bill graduated from high school. He then took a year of Bible College before enrolling in Miltonvale Weslyan College from which he graduated two years later. He then taught elementary school for two years before going to LaPaz, Bolivia to serve as a missionary candidate for a year and a half. He returned to marry his sweetheart, Mildred Ruth McGraw, on November 24, 1960. A year and a half later, they went to the Bolivian field, taking with them their infant daughter, Esther Ruth. A little over four years later, they returned to the States where their son, William John, was born. Their next field of service was Puerto Rico, where they founded La Iglesia del Cristo Soberano/Church of the Sovereign Christ in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. After 15 years there, they returned stateside. This time was spent in South Texas, close to Mexico, so Bill could assist churches on both sides of the border. Some were with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and some were independent. In the middle of 2000, the Alliance asked Bill to go to Dardanelle, Arkansas, where a Spanish-speaking church was struggling without a pastor. About eight years later, Bill knew it was time to retire from full-time ministry and they moved to Watonga, Oklahoma, to be closer to some of Millie’s family. In August 2015, they moved to Olympia, Washington, where they lived in an apartment built for them on their daughter and son-in-law’s house. Through his years as a missionary and pastor, Bill’s heart was to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was known as an excellent Bible teacher. Along with the Spanish language, he was also passionate about Esperanto, through which he corresponded and shared the Gospel with people in over 30 countries. Bill is survived by his wife, Mildred; daughter, Esther, and son-in-law, Brooke of Olympia; son, William, and daughter-in-law, Eliazith of Edinburg, Texas, and grandchildren, Lily, Izzy, Benjy, and Ruthie Goldsmith; and daughter, Marie Yvette Hedrington, and grandchildren, Gracie, Keith, Chelsea, and Stephanie of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, David of Arizona, and many other family members throughout the U.S. Please leave memories of Bill or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.