I once heard a man mockingly speak ill of Pastor Wingard saying, “All he has at that church is a rescue mission for preachers.” Well, I took that as a compliment- “Pastor Wingard was about the Gospel and helping those in need, even fellow pastors. What a giant of the faith he was!

Even though I only had the blessed opportunity to meet and speak with Pastor Wingard once, I am so thankful to have known him and to hear him preach every week on Calvary Baptist Church’s internet streaming. He was truly a pastor and kind-hearted brother in Christ and I will miss him greatly. I’m sad to not be able to see or hear him now, but rejoice in heart knowing that he is absent from the body and present with the Lord. Praying for all of you, his family and the church.
With love in Christ,
Julie

We met Brother Wingard in 1974 when Jeanette came to New Bern and went to Nursing school at Craven Community College while her dad taught at Calvary Baptist Christian School. I was at Bob Jones University and we were long distance dating. Brother Wingard gave us wonderful counsel during the 2 yr. dating period and he and Mrs. Wingard invited me to stay with them when I would visit Jeanette. We were so honored that he would marry us and he and Mrs. Wingard never failed to send an anniversary card which for the last 32 yrs. has arrived in Togo where we serve as missionaries. We can just imagine the welcome that this precious humble faithful servant of God received when he entered heaven. We consider him one of the greatest men that we have ever known.

Pastor Wingard had an impact on my life as a teenager and beyond. He was truly humble and would talk to anyone. He didn’t consider himself to high up to speak to anyone. He truly had a heart for people and would take time to talk with you. He was truly a servant of the Lord.

I first “met” Brother Bill as I listened to FBN on mornings as I traveled to pick up my grandson to take care of for the day.
I liked Brother Bill’s preaching and contacted him.
Although I never met him in person (we exchanged several emails), I considered him a friend and knew him as a brother-in-Christ.
He was a blessing to me!

Preacher Bill as I always knew him since I was a little boy was a blessing to me, I attended Calvary Baptist Christian School from kindergarten to 7th grade and attended Sunday school & church as I grew up throughout high school graduation. Preach Bill was my Pastor as he was to a lot of people in New Bern, I thank God for placing Preacher Bill where he did, I grew to know God & come to salvations though Jesus Christ given his ministry. I was Baptized by Preacher Bill & he prayed for me & my family throughout my life . I remember when my dad passed away in 2013, Pastor Bill found his way to come to his funeral & as a busy pastor found time to pay his respect & console me & my family during this time. I love his family, his beautiful wife, Mrs. Wingard was my first teacher & I grew up around his daughters Jan, Pam & Patti. I love them all dearly. Although I didn’t really know his son Billy because he was a bit older than me, I knew his parents loved him dearly. I learned a lot of how to be a good Christian, father & son through pastor Bill’s example of what a man of God can be, Pastor Bill will be missed here greatly, but his life will be remembered with great fondness & I’ll always count my blessings for knowing this Great man of God. Thank you Jesus for this wonderful man & family, God bless you all during this time. May God give you the peace & grace that passeth all understanding. Thank you Jesus.

His humble life and leadership made a great impact in my life and ministries through World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions. By God’s grace, I was able to meet Pastor Wingard in 2011 at Calvary Baptist Church for the first time. He gave me the privilege to preach in bi-language (English and Burmese). What a great man of God! He will be greatly missed!

My husband and I attended Grace Baptist Church, Pastor Eborn, at that time the church was located in Morehead City. We would attend Pastor’s Wingard’s church during special meetings and I listen to him through WOJT, the Calvary Hour always a blessing. He’s now in the loving arms of Jesus. I’m reminded of a Song Coming Home, Pastor Wingard is home.🙏

Preacher Bill had a big part my life and in my being where I am now. God used him to get me to the mission field, redirect the field, and find the man HE had for my life. I’m so glad he was part of my life.

Pastor Wingard was one of the most Godly men I have ever met. 2 of my grandchildren attended Calvary School where they were saved and baptized. He also came to my house one day to see my son to witness to but we weren’t home so later in the day he came back. He said Shaun was put on his heart and there in my front room Shaun was witnessed to and save and will be seeing Pastor today. They are both in heaven together. I am so blessed to have known him and his wonderful family. He will be greatly missed.