Name: Visitation for Rev. Dr. J. Wendell Runion
Start: 2018-04-12T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-04-13T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Anders-Rice Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Asheville

Rev. Dr. J. Wendell Runion

Asheville - Rev. Dr. J. Wendell Runion, 76, went to be with the Lord Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals.

Dr. Runion was the son of the late Claude Edger Runion and Zora Belle Fore Runion and was also preceded in death by his brother, Calvin Runion.

He was a native of Madison County and graduated from Owen High School in Black Mountain, NC. He later attended Pensacola Bible Institute in Pensacola, FL, and was ordained into the ministry January 20, 1973 at Trinity Baptist Church. He received his Bachelors Degree of Theology and an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Trinity Baptist College in Knoxville, TN. In addition, he earned his Ph.D. in Religion from Emmanuel Baptist University in Conover, NC and honorary doctorate from Travelers University in Cairo, Egypt.

He was founding pastor of Asheville Baptist Tabernacle (currently Parkway Baptist Church). God gave him a vision to reach the world for Christ and in 1996 he founded International Baptist Outreach Missions along with radio stations WKJV-1380AM and WKJW-1010AM. Through these ministries God would change the lives of thousands across the globe. His burden was to proclaim that Jesus Christ died on a cross, bore the sins of the human race, and rose from the grave so that all who believe can have a home in heaven. Dr. Runion dedicated his life to proclaiming this message of hope. He loved his family and his greatest joy was to see his family have the same desire to live for Christ. He will be greatly missed on earth but it is a comfort to know that this soldier for Christ is finally in the presence of his Savior.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Joyce Ann Ammons Runion; daughters: Lynn Mitchell and husband, Randy of Statesville, Angela Page and husband, Todd of Taylors, SC and Hannah Hensley and husband, Ricky of Burnsville; grandchildren, Bradley, Tyler and Kevin Page, Anna and Joshua Mitchell and Makenzie and Isaac Hensley; sister Lucy Hollifield of Black Mountain and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, April 13, 2018 at Trinity Baptist Church, with Dr. Ralph Sexton, Jr., Dr. Keith Gomez, and Dr. Richard Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Anders-Rice Funeral Home.

Flowers are accepted and appreciated, or memorial donations may be made to International Baptist Outreach Missions or WKJV/WKJW Radio at 70 Adams Hill Rd. Asheville, NC 28806.

To sign Dr. Runion's guestbook online, please go to "Memorials" at www.andersrice.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asheville Citizen-Times on Apr. 10, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for J. Runion

Sponsored by Anders-Rice Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Asheville.

11 Entries

Phillip Braddy

June 21, 2018

Dr Runion will always be apart of my life. I thank God for this Warrior and for all the lives he touched. I look forward to seeing him in heaven someday.

James Rupe

April 23, 2018

My family and I have known Dr. Runion for quite a few years; we attended Asheville Baptist Tabernacle for a long time and have been friends of the family since the 1970's. We are sorry to hear of his passing. We love Dr. Runion and consider him and his family as family.

William Grady

April 17, 2018

Dr. Runion was my dear friend of nearly 25 years. I will miss not having the opportunity to get his wise counsel. He taught me how to cross reference my King James Bible while we were under a mosquito net in Kenya, East Africa. I am glad he is no longer suffering.

Misti Davis

April 16, 2018

I now and will forever remember what a wonderful man Wendall was. He made a great impact on my life in how someone should treat others. I will miss him and want his family to know that he is now in his eternal home where he can watch over all of his friends family and others that he cared so much about. My deepest sympathies and love go out to you all.

Mark Kaye

April 12, 2018

Many heartfelt condolences to the Runion family.
Some of my best memories are attending Tabernacle Christian Academy. Lynn, Angela, Hannah and the whole Runion family.....you were blessed to live his earthly life with him. Now he is with our Maker, who is enjoying his humor, his laugh, and that big smile.....as we did.

Teresa Lunsford

April 12, 2018

So sorry for your loss every time I heard Pastor Runion preach what a blessing he was. Heaven surely gained a precious very Godly man. God bless all the family and friends.

Sheila Nantz

April 12, 2018

One of the great preachers in my life! ! Love him and his family ! Thank God for Tabernacle Christian school. What a legacy He leaves behind. So many lives touched!!

David king

April 11, 2018

Thank you Dr. Runion for touching me through Gods word so many times. You will be missed but I rejoice in you being with our saviour.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

April 9, 2018

Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61:1, 2.

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