Pastor William Albert Bingham Sr. was a committed disciple of Jesus Christ. He was a husband , father , grandfather , great-grandfather , son , brother , pastor , community leader , service-man and friend. Bingham was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. Following his service in the Army Air Corp during WWII , William pastored his first church in Marley, Illinois. He served the Marley Church during and shortly following his seminary studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School , the school from which he received his Master of Divinity Degree. William pastored the First Baptist Church in Tecumseh , Nebraska , from 1952 - 1955 , and the Benson Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1955-March 1965. During his pastorate in Omaha , he was active in promoting inter-racial dialogue and open housing. In addition , he was president of the Omaha Area Council of Churches and an Officer of the local NAACP. Pastor Bingham served the First Baptist Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan , from 1965-1979. While there, he founded a Meals On Wheels program which served as a prototype for similar programs nationwide , and he was instrumental in the development of a new Senior High Rise in Ypsilanti. Bingham led successful building initiatives in both Benson and Ypsilanti Churches. He valued regular visitation with his parishioners. His sermons often focused on church history as it encompassed the Universal Church , Protestant , and Baptist History ; daily communion with God ; grace and discipleship. Bingham served as the administrator for the Whitcomb Towers , a retirement community in St. Joseph, Michigan, from 1979-1984. He retired in 1984 and moved from Stevensville , Michigan, to Tampa, Florida; and later settled in a Tampa suburb Lutz, Florida until 2013. During his time in Florida , William and his wife , Susan Sawyer Bingham , who survives him , were seasonal members of the Bayshore Baptist Church , while they spent and increasing amount of summertime at the family's lifelong vacation home on Burt Lake , near Indian River , Mi. While at the Lake , the Binghams were active attendees of the Burt Lake Christian Church ; and Bill enjoyed time at home and dining out with Susan , gatherings with neighbors and friends , and many hours fishing both by himself and with the family. Since 2013 , the Binghams have resided at Wesleyan Village , a Faith Affiliated Retirement Community in Elyria, Ohio , where they have enjoyed good food , good friends , and loving care. William Bingham began his life in Heaven with God on November 29 , 2015 Advent Sunday. William Bingham is survived by his beloved wife of 68 yrs. , Susan Sawyer Bingham; four children : William A. Bingham Jr. , Rebecca S. Bingham Thompson , Thomas S. Bingham , and James R. Bingham ; 13 grandchildren ; and many great-grandchildren. We love you Bill , Dad , Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. A memorial service will be held in the Wesleyan Village Chapel , 807 West Ave. Elyria, Ohio 44035 at 1:30 PM Sunday January 3 , 2016.Rev. Beth McKee will officiate. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Wesleyan Village and to Pathways Counseling and Growth Center both in Elyria. Arrangements were entrusted to the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Lorain County Cremation Service of Elyria. 440-322-4626. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com Service: 1:30 PM Sunday January 3, 2016 Wesleyan Village 807 West Ave. Elyria, Ohio 44035 Visitation: None None