TRAGIC: Just now; Televangelist and preacher Bill Winston Reportedly Takes His Own Life…
Dr. William Samuel Winston (also known as Dr. Bill Winston or Bill Winston) is an American preacher, author, visionary leader and business entrepreneur. He is the founder and Senior Pastor of Living Word Christian Center, a non-denominational church located in Forest Park, Illinois with over 22,000 members. His teachings, writings, weekly television and radio outreach are circulated through his ministry outreach, Bill Winston Ministries (BWM) and are aired around the world via his broadcast program Believer’s Walk of Faith (BWOF). His sermons are also aired on several radio networks within the United States.
Born William Samuel Winston on May 6, 1943, he raised in the southern town of Tuskegee, Alabama. He spent his early life under the influence of celebrated aviators and legendary Tuskegee airmen who all played a role in his future ambitions.
Dr. Bill Winston graduated from Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1967. He is a recognized “Distinguished Alumni of Tuskegee University” awardee.
Growing up, Dr. Winston was inspired by Tuskegee airmen and their historic aviation accomplishments. These airmen served as his role models and later influenced his six-year career in the United States Air Force. After graduating from Tuskegee University, Dr. Winston joined the United States Air Force and served as a fighter pilot in Vietnam. In March 1971 he piloted an F-4E Phantom that struck anti-aircraft batteries deep within North Vietnamese territory. The mission won him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In January 1973, Dr. Winston joined the IBM Corporation as a Marketer. His outstanding leadership skills and high performance paved the way for his success and swift advancement within the organization, rising to the level of Regional Marketing Manager in IBM’s Midwest Region. It was during his time at IBM that Dr. Winston became spiritually “born again” and felt called by God into full-time ministry. He resigned from IBM in 1985 to fulfill this divine call and direction. He attended Logos Bible School and in 1996 briefly attended Oral Roberts University.
In 2006, Friends International Christian University in Florida awarded Dr. Bill Winston an Honorary Doctorate degree in Humane Letters in acknowledgment of his teachings.
Dr. Bill Winston met his future wife, Dr. Veronica Irene Brown, while working at IBM Corporation. They were married in 1983 and Dr. Veronica Winston is now the first lady of Living Word Christian Center. She is also a teacher, preacher, intercessor and author. The Winstons are the parents of three children: Melody, Allegra and David; and the grandparents of eight.
- He is the founder of the Joseph Business School (JBS) and The Joseph Center®, a nationally accredited campus and online business school located in Forest Park, Illinois with partnership locations across the U.S. and internationally which specialize in business development for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
- Living Word Christian Center, pastored by Dr. Bill Winston, owns the Forest Park Plaza, a 33-acre outdoor shopping mall located in Forest Park, Illinois.
- Living Word Christian Center, pastored by Dr. Bill Winston owns Washington Plaza, a 13-acre shopping plaza located in Tuskegee, Alabama.
- Dr. Bill Winston and the Living Word Christian Center church choir received an award nomination at the 28th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award for their first church music album project titled “Bill Winston Presents Living Word: Released” in the category of Traditional Choir of the Year.