William Harold Hockley

HOCKLEY William Harold Hockley, of Worthington, Ohio, age 94, died September 18, 2012 at Willow Brook Christian Home. Born June 5, 1918 at Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, Canada this gentle farm boy fondly shared stories about driving a horse and buggy to the one room school house, swimming in a pond at recess with cousins and friends, helping his father at age 13 plow fields with a team of 6 horses, doing chores before school in -30 degree weather, watching his mother cook on a wood burning stove, and experiencing no electricity nor indoor plumbing at his home. After high school, having just turned 17, Harold hitch hiked to Knoxville, TN to attend Johnson Bible College. He then went on to graduate school at Butler School of Religion in Indianapolis where he met wife May Maas. Harold and May partnered in ministries at Eminence, IN; Windfall, IN; and retired in 1984 after 34 years serving at Westwood Cheviot Christian Church in Cincinnati, OH. Their home was always open to college students, church functions and visiting missionary families. Harold was known for his involvement and strong leadership in Churches of Christ brotherhood organizations including: Ohio Church Development Fund (supporting church loans for construction), Christian Evangelizing Fellowship (helping to support new church growth), Christian Missionary Fellowship (supporting foreign missions), Christian Benevolent Association (founding retirement facilities at Mt Healthy & Mason, Ohio), Christians' Hour Radio program announcer, president of the 1966 North American Christian Convention and a 10 year term as Chairman of the Board of Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, TN. Harold also received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Kentucky Christian College and Doctor of Sacred Theology from Milligan College. Among his colleagues, Harold was known for his innovative church programming at Westwood Cheviot (now Whitewater Crossing) and doing God's will in his life through the church. Harold's wife, May predeceased him in 2000. Harold leaves behind his sister Audrey Zimmerman (Merle), sister-in-law Florence Wilke (Herb), brother-in-law George Chapman, all of Canada and brother-in-law David Maas of Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews. Harold's immediate family include daughters, Sharyn Morse (Bill) of Worthington, OH and Suzanne Hockley Murry (Hal) of Madison, WI.; granddaughters, Elizabeth Offredo (Jon), Amy Morse (Dinesh Gurshahaney), Lisa Gintz (Bryan) and Jenny Morse (Chris Thigpen), Danielle Murry Knowles (Mark) and Tessa Murry will greatly miss family dinners and movie times together with "Grandpa". The latest joys of Harold's life were his great-grandchildren, Luciana and Santino Offredo and Amelia Gintz. He also leaves behind many close friends and people who have communicated to him their appreciation for his leading them to an understanding and decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The family appreciates the doctors, Willow Brook Christian Home staff, Home Reach Hospice personnel and ministers that have given Harold such quality, compassionate care. Shaw Davis Funeral Home provided services. Columbus calling hours will be held Friday, October 5, 2012 at Beechwold Christian Church, 280 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH from 4-6 p.m. A celebration of life service at Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, Ohio will be arranged for a later date. To contact Harold's family, leave messages of condolences or to view details about the memorial service go to www.caringbridge.org. Type in williamharoldhockley to access his page. Interment will be at Emmanuel Columbarium Wall, Johnson City, TN. Harold has already been honored by the naming of the Hockley Chapel at Mason Ohio Christian Village Retirement Complex, The Hockley Terrace at Emmanuel Christian Seminary and the Hockley Prayer Garden at Whitewater Crossing. In lieu of flowers, to honor Harold's many years of Christian service, gifts can be made to: Whitewater Crossing Christian Church, 5771 Ohio 128, Cleves, OH 45002, Emmanuel Christian Seminary, One Walker Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601, HomeReach Hospice, 800 McConnell Dr., Columbus, OH 43214.