TRIBUTE

I first heard of Roy Kilby when we hired his son Ryan to be our Student Pastor at Pole Creek. Not many years later, my wife and I had regular fellowship with Roy and his wife Wanda at the Large Church Pastor's Meeting that the NC Baptist State Convention put on annually. Roy and I attended the meetings, while Wanda and Marilyn went shopping. Sweet Wanda went home to be with the Lord several years ago--and now Roy is reunited with her.

Roy Kilby's impact in Haywood County was huge. He was a conservative stalwart, a faithful evangelist, and an extraordinary pastor in visiting the sick and shut-ins. Dr. Kilby believed the Bible and proclaimed it boldly. Bethel Baptist Church flourished during his ministry there until sickness brought his tenure to a conclusion. Even as you pray for the Kilby family, pray for Bethel Church family. It will be a challenging time of adjustment for both.

Roy was a dedicated denominational servant also. He was supportive of our wider mission efforts and particularly, Haywood Baptist Association. I was looking at an old Associational Report that our Administrative Assistant, Karen Holcomb, had discovered--where Roy and Wanda were introduced at the 1979 meeting. Dr. Kilby was introduced as the new pastor of Bethel in Haywood Baptist Association--46 years ago! That is a legacy of tenacity worth celebrating. He will be missed.

Scripture tells us, "Render therefore to all their due...honor to whom honor," (Rom. 13:7). Roy was not a perfect preacher--only Jesus was--but he was a man of God and worthy of this tribute. I think of the song by Janet Paschal, "Another Soldier's Coming Home." Here are some of the lyrics:

His back is bent and weary

His voice is tired and low

His sword is worn from battle

And his steps have gotten slow

But he used to walk on water

Or it seemed that way to me

I know he moved some mountains

And never left his knees

Strike up the band, assemble the choir

Another soldier's coming home

Another warrior hears the call

He's waited for so long

He'll battle no more

He's won his wars

Make sure Heaven's table

Has room for at least one more

The link to Dr. Kilby's obituary is here: https://www.wellsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/roy-kilby

Gratefully Yours,

Dennis Thurman, AMS