John William “Bill” Lancaster Jr., 88, of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, passed away 4 February 2023. He was a retired district superintendent who led the Mississippi District from 1980 to 1987 and the Houston District from 1987 to 2001.

Bill was born 7 August 1934. He earned his bachelor’s in ministry from Emmanuel Bible College and his Doctorate of Divinity from Southern Nazarene University.
In 1952, he married his wife, Retha, and lived together for over 70 years.

He pastored Jacksonville Church of the Nazarene in North Carolina from 1958 to 1960 before moving to Alabama, where he pastored three churches: Sheffield Southwest Church of the Nazarene (1960-1963), Birmingham Ensley Church of the Nazarene (1963-1966), and Cullman First Church of the Nazarene (1966-1971).

He returned to North Carolina briefly to pastor Charlotte Plaza Church of the Nazarene before pastoring in Alabama again at Tuscaloosa Alberta Church of the Nazarene (1971-1976) and Huntsville First Church of the Nazarene (1976-1980).

In 1980, he became superintendent of the Mississippi District, which he led until 1987. He was then called to the Houston District, leading them as superintendent until 2001.

He returned to the pastorate in 2002, serving the Decatur Spring Avenue Church of the Nazarene until 2015.

According to his family, while not serving behind the pulpit, Lancaster was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan. When sports were not on, he enjoyed spending his time woodworking and being around the water, which he called “God's glorious creation.”

Most importantly, he was truly a man of God and had true unwavering faith that God could do anything. Next to his love for God came his dedication for his family.

He is survived by his wife, Retha Lancaster; son, Mark Lancaster; daughter, Dianne Gibbs; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.