William "Bill" Tolliver

Rev. William T. Tolliver, Jr. March 9, 1933 – April 8, 2026 Born in Nashville, Wisconsin in a one room log cabin. Son of the late Correna “Corda” Blevins Poynter (Calvert Poynter) and William T. Tolliver, Sr. Predeceased by sisters Myrliah (Wendell) Ison, Beulah (John) Dreblow, Jenny (Clester) Cox, and Aleta Tolliver. Survived by wife of 70 years Emma Lee Tolliver, children Sharon (Mark) Groves, Kim Tolliver (Jeanette Belz), William (Diana) T. Tolliver, III. Grandchildren Julie Houston, Andrew Houston, Micheal Tolliver, Matt (Katie) Tolliver, Maria Fernanda Tolliver and great-grandson G.T. Tolliver. Graduate of Frenchburg, Kentucky Presbyterian Mission School where he was awarded the Outstanding Boy of Kentucky Award, 3rd place in Kentucky for Serious Monologues, sang in the All-Kentucky State Chorus and selected to meet Mr. JC Penney through the Allied Youth Program promoting alcohol abstinence. Attended Asbury College (1951-1955), majoring in speech and dramatics and minoring in French and English. He moved to Dayton, Ohio where he taught English and speech for two years while also preaching at a nearby church. Rev. Tolliver graduated from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in 1960 and was ordained into the Methodist Church. He served many churches through Ohio including Van Buren Street (Dayton) Methodist Church, South Point (1960-1963) and Heath (1963-1967). From 1967-1969, Rev. Tolliver took a leave of absence and moved to Dayton so Emma Lee could complete her bachelor’s in education at Wright State University. During this time, he worked at a tool and die shop and pursued a master’s in counseling and guidance at Wright State University. He returned to the ministry and served Amelia United Methodist Church (1969-1974), East North Broadway UMC (Columbus 1974-1980), Canal Winchester (1980-1983), Maynard Ave. (Columbus 1983-1990), Walnut Hill (Columbus 1990-1993), and Cedar Hill/Hoy UMC (1993-1995). Rev. Tolliver retired from active ministry in 1995 and enjoyed hobbies including carpentry, hunting, fishing, gardening, and bee keeping. As a member of the Columbus Central Ohio Beekeepers and with his friend John Schreiber (deceased) he built beehives, responded to bee swarms, sold honey through Weilands in Columbus, Ohio and at one point had 45 hives throughout central Ohio. He was awarded the Beekeeper of the Year in 2010 for outstanding service to Central Ohio Beekeeper’s Association. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of bees and helping promote the art of bee keeping. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 14th from 10-noon at the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, Columbus, Ohio with services immediately following at noon in the church sanctuary with Rev. Jeremy Moyers presiding. Burial will be in Perryville, Kentucky on April 16th.

William "Bill" Tolliver

March 9, 1933 - April 8, 2026