Willard Ray Mayer

WILLARD RAY MAYER, age 99, passed away peacefully in his home, in the care of his family, on Wednesday morning, October 8, 2025. Born June 25, 1926 to the late Ezra and Lydia Anna (Byler) Mayer, in Pigeon, Michigan; Willard was the third of five children and the only son in a devout family that worked hard on their farm and was marked by the impairments Ezra suffered from Parkinson's disease.
Willard felt the call to pastoral ministry early in his life, but did not feel free to disclose his conviction until his late teens when he finally told his parents. Much to his surprise, in spite of their scarce resources and his being the only son to take over farm operations, they insisted he should study to prepare for the ministry. Accordingly, he enrolled in studies at Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, VA, earning the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Theology degrees by 1951. Two years later he was ordained to the ministry, and three years after that, in 1956, he was ordained as a bishop. In the winter of 1952, Willard began his defining role as a Bible teacher, serving among the first faculty of Berlin Bible School; an endeavor which by 1970 had grown into Rosedale Bible Institute and continues today as Rosedale Bible College.
It was Berlin that brought student Esther Swartzentruber to Willard's attention, and they began their 63 years of loving marriage on July 5, 1953. Willard served Rosedale as principal, academic dean, and the faculty member with the longest tenure. His classic courses remembered by many students were Genesis, Gospel of John, Hebrews, and Christian Evidences.
Despite his deep commitment to Rosedale, Willard conducted an amazing series of revival/renewal meetings all over the States and in Canada, a series he noted averaged nearly seven engagements per year for 50 years. He also served his home congregation of Pigeon River as pastor from 1953-1969. When the family moved to Ohio in 1969, Willard and Esther became members of Shiloh Mennonite Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and three sisters: Irene Slaubaugh, Gladys Fenner, and Lucille Wenger.
Surviving are his children: Conrad (Emily) Mayer, Twila (Phil) Weber, Kevin (Wendy) Mayer; grandchildren: Ryan (Rebecca) Mayer, Whitney (Begench) Amangeldiev, Malarie Mayer, Skylar Mayer, Jonathan (Katie) Weber, Amanda (Brian) Miller, Andrew (Brittany) Weber, Evan Mayer and Ellie Mayer; 11 great-grandchildren; and sibling Verda Mayer of San Antonio, TX.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 PM Friday, October 10, 2025 at Shiloh Mennonite Church, 7521 Woods and W Ave., London, Ohio 43140 where the service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, October 11. Burial following at Shiloh Mennonite Church Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Pastor Preston Yoder.
A message of condolence from a former student contained a good summary of Willard as a person and a teacher:
Willard was "a great, good, and godly man. He set my spiritual feet to dancing."
Please visit www.fergusonfuneralhomeinc.com to share a special memory. Ferguson Funeral Home, Plain City, Ohio is honored to care for the Mayer family.