Dr. Reverend William Henry Griffin Jr. was born to William Henry Griffin Sr. and Bessie Mae Griffin in Kannapolis, NC on March 29, 1929. William was reborn in Christ through the rite of Holy Baptism at Mt Calvary Lutheran Church in Kannapolis, NC.
William attended Elementary and High School in Kannapolis, NC. William attended Immanual Lutheran College and Seminary in Greensboro, NC graduating in 1951.
William received his master’s degree from Concordia University in River Forest, IL, a Doctorate from Concordia Seminary St Louis, MO, and Honorary Doctorate at Concordia University in Portland, OR. William taught at Concordia University River Forest, IL, Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN, Concordia Seminary St Louis, MO, and Luther High School South Chicago, IL
William was an active member in the civil right movement starting with the Montgomery Boycott, Selma Voting Rights Movement, Selma to Montgomery March, Chicago Freedom Movement, and President of Kenwood Oakland Organization (KOC), March of Washington, Rainbow Push known as Operation Push, and a host of African American movements until his death.
In 1952, William received a call to Trinity Lutheran Church Selma, AL. In 1954, William received a call to Grace Lutheran Church in Montgomery AL. In 1956, William received a call to Christ the King and Ebenezer Lutheran Church and retired in 1983. After a short retirement, William served faithfully in various capacities for another 15 years including the North Illinois Lutheran District as a Mission Facilitator and Director of Anti-Racism project in the Chicagoland area. William also worked for Wheat Ridge Ministries known as “We Rise.” William continued his ministry at Zion Lutheran Church 109th Chicago, IL where he retired 1993. This second retirement did not last long, William served as an interim Pastor at Our Savior Lutheran in Orlando, Florida. William continued his ministry at Zion Lutheran Church 99th Chicago, IL where William will remain as emeritus. William has a community center in his honor of Dr. Reverend William and Ella Griffin at Zion Lutheran 99th as well. William served as dean at Luther High School South until 2009 which was his
final call. Wiilliam officially retired in 2009 to take care of his wife Ella Mae Griffin.
William and Ella met at Immanuel Lutheran College and became college sweethearts marrying June 14, 1951, at First Baptist Church, Far Rockaway, Long Island, New York.
God blessed this union with four children: Marie Parham (Collis), Mark A Griffin Sr (deceased)(Stella), Marvin Griffin (Shirley) and Millicent Davis (Kevin).
William leaves to mourn ten grandchildren: Amanda, Rhonda, and Donald (Shannon), Gage, William III (deceased) and Mark Griffin (Emorie), Marvin Jr, Millicent, Michael Griffin, Latesha (Henry) and Eugene Davis.
William leaves to mourn twelve great-grandchildren: Matthew Gage and Jeremiah Willis, Ella Marie, Donald Jr, and Adeline Gage, Amaya, Mark Griffin III, and Gabriel Griffin, Liana, Leah, and Johnathan Belmont, DeRon Jones and Stephaine Marie Griffin.
William leaves to mourn his brothers and sister: Johnny Griffin (Geraldine deceased) Bayshore NY, Thomas Griffin (Delencia) Harrisburg, NC, Marie Griffin Kannolpis, NC and Kenneth Griffin (Gwendolyn) Harrisburg, NC.
Willam leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
William preceded in death, Doretha Umpthery (Orange), Oris Terry (Willie), Jerry Griffin (Adeline) (Friend: Bernetta), Barbara Burris (Samuel), Charles Griffin (Shirley), Lorenzo Griffin (Shirley), Jean Carol Griffin and Obe Griffin.
William went closer to the presence of Christ by Grace July 20, 2024.
“I fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love is appearing.” ( 2 Timothy 4:7-8)
