Gospel Light Chairman Greig passes at 82

VENTURA, Calif. — Gospel Light Chairman Bill Greig II, who worked in the industry for more than 55 years and was a founding member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, died Feb. 15 of complications of pneumonia. He was 82.

Greig was born April 16, 1924 in Minneapolis, Minn. It was in Minnesota that the publisher met and married Doris Jane Walters. He was graduated from the University of Minnesota.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Greig was partner/manager of Praise Book Publications in Minnesota until 150 when he became vice president of Gospel Light, the curriculum company started in 1933 by the late Henrietta Mears, the cousin of Greig’s mother.

In 1972, he was elected president of Gospel Light by the board of directors. He was named chairman in 1989.

"The effects of Bill's more than half a century of Christian publishing are multiplied exponentially because of his commitment to biblically accurate content, excellence in publishing, and global vision," said CBA president-Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson.

“While Gospel Light continues to move forward under the wise and capable leadership of Bill Greig III, our industry has lost a great publisher. But heaven is richer. The work of his hands and heart here continue on around the globe."

He was chairman of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association from 1981 to 1984 and received the industry's Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.

"Bill truly was a treasure to the Christian publishing industry and was instrumental in the founding of ECPA,” Mark Kuyper, said in a news release. He left a legacy of divine impact and he will be sorely missed by us all."

Greig II was preceded in death by Doris, his wife of 53 years. An author and educator, she died Dec. 20, 2004. His survivors include his four children, Kathy, Bill III, Gary, and Jane; sister, Peggy Nelson; and nine grandchildren.

Services are planned for 2 p.m. March 10 at Gospel Light in Ventura. A second service will be held 2 p.m. March 11 at the Ventura Community Presbyterian Church.

Condolences may be sent to: The Greig Family, Gospel Light, 1957 Eastman Ave., Ventura, CA 93003-8085, or e-mailed to bg3@gospellight.com. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Gospel Light Worldwide, P.O. Box 3875, Ventura, CA, 93006.

Published by Keener Communications Group, March 2006

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