The Rivers

DATELINE: Fairview, NC

DECEASED: The Reverend Dr. Billy G. Rivers, age 86, formerly of Chesterfield, SC, went home to be with his Lord, on Sunday, February 7, 2016.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home Chapel

INTERMENT: to follow in the Chesterfield Cemetery

VISITATION: 2:00 – 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 9, 2016 prior to the service at the Funeral Home

HISTORY: Dr. Rivers was born May 19, 1929 in Wadesboro, NC, a son of the late Legette and Maude Hunt Rivers. He was a 1946 graduate of Chesterfield High School. Dr. Rivers also graduated from Wingate College, Furman University, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. In 1976, he earned his doctorate degree from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, FL and served as a Baptist minister and pastor for 50 years, serving First Baptist Church, Hamlet, NC; Pee Dee Baptist Church, Rockingham, NC; Lower Creek Baptist Church, Lenoir, NC; First Baptist Church, Hudson, NC; and as interim pastor of Crest View Baptist Church, Lenoir, NC. He was ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 1947, at the age of 17, by Chesterfield Baptist Church. Dr. Rivers served as moderator of the Caldwell Baptist Association and was a member of the General Board. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, Gardner Webb University, and served on the Board of Ministers for Campbell University. Dr. Rivers served as a Trustee of the Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC for many years. He had the distinct honor of attending 9 Presidential Prayer Breakfasts in Washington, D.C. at the invitation of the President of the United States. He enjoyed reading, writing, and authored and published a book, “Return to Reality, America, It’s Not Too Late”. Dr. Rivers will be remembered for his passion and dedication of serving God and helping people. In addition to his parents, Billy was also preceded in death by his brother, Hugh Rivers.

SURVIVORS:
Wife of 68 years: Joyce Hancock Rivers of the home
3 Sons: Bill (Carol) Rivers of Fairview, NC, Sammy (Nancy) Rivers of Ellerbe, NC, and Tim (Paula) Rivers of Greensboro, NC
Daughter: Joy Rivers (Phil) Parsons of Mt. Airy, NC
Also 10 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren and Nieces and Nephews


Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC is
serving the Rivers Family