Dr. William H. Bicksler

William Hazelton Bicksler was born to Paul and Florence Bicksler on May 19, 1933, in Fredericksburg, PA, and died January 11, 2023. He was raised in Lebanon, PA, until going to Houghton College (NY). He was a Free Methodist missionary to Taiwan for 37 years where he mastered Mandarin Chinese and taught at China Evangelical Seminary in Taipei and Holy Light Theological Seminary in Kaohsiung. Both institutions train full time ministers for pastoral and missionary work in Taiwan, Southeast Asia and the world. Besides authoring several books, he served on the committee for Old Testament translation for the new Chinese Bible. He was also professor at Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University), and pastored churches in Kentucky and Vermont. He received his Masters of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky and received a PhD at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.

He was predeceased by his first wife Marith Bicksler in 1999. He is survived by his wife Evelyn Bicksler, children David Bicksler (Diane), Linda Bicksler, Kathi Walker (Kerry), step-children James Wesley Spurling (Pamela), David Spurling (Debra), Connie Tafoya (Ernie), Katherine Keaney (James), grandchildren Nicholas Walker (Jamie), Zachary Walker (Ashley), Alyssa Fain (Hayden), Christie Bicksler, Paul Bicksler, great-grandchildren Eli Walker, Thomas Walker, Nova Walker, and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be Friday, January 20 at 10:00 am at John Wesley Free Methodist Church (5900 W 46th St, Indianapolis) followed by the service at 11:00 and then internment.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Holy Light Seminary at: https://give.fmcusa.org/holy-light-seminary
Or, checks can designated to: Taiwan Holy Light Theological Seminary and mailed to:

Free Methodist Church – USA
PO Box 51710
Indianapolis IN 46251