Clergyman & Family Man, “His Parish Had No Boundaries”
William (Bill) T. Iverson, Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 21, 2023 at the age of 95. Born in 1928 and raised in Miami, Bill was the youngest of five born to Rev. Daniel and Vivian Iverson.
He graduated from Miami High, and received a BA from Davidson College. He completed his MDiv at Columbia Theological Seminary in 1952, and earned a PhD from New York University in 1976. He married Ann Oliver (d. 1995), and raised three children together.
Bill served churches in Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, and California, and taught at several seminaries. “Unconventional” describes Bill. He was pastor, church planter and scholar. Beginning from their family’s dining room table, Bill’s Parish had no boundaries. He never met a stranger as he visited in homes, walked in neighborhoods, even had luncheonettes in his Cross Counter ministry as a way to meet and love people. Bill modeled the walk that he asked others to walk. He always took people along when serving, modeling how to love and share God’s love. In 1969, Bill began a Field Seminary, where students learned about God and Man not in an ivory tower, but in the streets, in homes – incarnational – like God who put skin on. His faith in God was the source of his steadfast strength and love.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sylvia Iverson; his three children, Daniel Iverson III (Carol), William T. Iverson, Jr, (Liz), and Jennifer Lee Iverson; eleven grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sept. 16 at 3pm at Christian Community Presbyterian Church, 45 McWhorter St., Newark NJ,