DEVON HARVEY WIENS

Devon Wiens was born in Shafter, CA to Daniel and Minnie Wiens. The family moved to Oklahoma and then settled in Wichita, KS. The First Bible Baptist Church of Wichita was where Devon found the two loves of his life, Beverly Noel, and teaching. He started teaching Sunday school, and declared himself a Bible major at Friends University. He married Beverly in 1957, at the very church where they met. Upon receiving his degree at Friends, Devon moved the family to Pasadena, CA to attend Fuller Theological Seminary to earn a Master's degree. After graduating from Fuller in 1963, he entered the Doctorate Program at the University of Southern California Graduate School of Religion. His first teaching position after completing his PhD was at Huntington College in Indiana. The highlight of his first year of teaching was being named "Teacher of the Year", in a poll done by the students. After four years at Huntington College, he was offered a position in the Theology and Religion department at Fresno Pacific University. At Fresno Pacific University, Devon was given the freedom to be innovative, and develop into a highly respected professor. He was the first to take students on a study tour to Israel in conjunction with the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and The Institute for Holy Land Studies. He dedicated himself to Fresno Pacific University until retiring in 2003. Devon is survived by his wife, Beverly, of 61 years; his daughter, Pam Ferguson and husband Scott; his son, Jim Wiens and wife Angela; and his three grandchildren, Staci, Heather, and Alexander. He is also survived by his brother, Dannie Wiens; and many relatives. A Memorial Service will be held at the Clovis Funeral Chapel, 1302 Clovis Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612, on Friday, September 21, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. An interment to follow at Clovis Cemetery, 305 N. Villa Ave., Clovis, CA 93612.