Background
Goodson, Walter Kenneth was born on September 25, 1912 in Salisbury, North Carolina, United States. Son of Daniel Washington and Sarah (Peeler) Goodson.
Goodson, Walter Kenneth was born on September 25, 1912 in Salisbury, North Carolina, United States. Son of Daniel Washington and Sarah (Peeler) Goodson.
AB, Catawba College, 1934. Doctor of Humane Letters, Catawba College. Student, Duke Division School, 1937.
Doctor of Divinity, Duke Division School, 1960. Doctor of Divinity, High Point College, North Carolina, 1951. Doctor of Divinity, Birmingham-Southern College.
Doctor of Divinity, Athens College. Doctor of Divinity, Shenandoah College. Doctor of Divinity, Campbell University, 1985.
Doctor of Humane Letters, St. Bernard College. Doctor of Laws, University Ala.
Ordained to ministry Methodist Church, 1939. Pastor in Western North Carolina Conference, 1935-1964. Bishop Birmingham area, 1964-1972, Richmond area, 1972-1980.
Now bishop-in-residence Duke University Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina. Delaware World Conference Methodist Church, Oxford, England, 1951, Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, 1956, London, 1966, Denver, 1971, Dublin, 1977. Member Methodist World Council.
Board directors Methodist Committee Overseas Relief, 1964-1972. Member (Mission Team to Great Britain), 1962, study team to, France and Berlin, 1962. Chairman finance committee board missions United Methodist Church, 1968-1972, president commission on religion and race, 1968, president general board discipleship, 1972-1980.
Also president council bishops United Methodist Church, Southeastern Jurisdiction, 1976, president council on ministries, 1976.
President J.B. Cornelius Foundation, 1946-1964. Trustee Duke Endowment, Brevard College, Duke University, Shenandoah College. Member of Rotarian, Mason (32 degree).
Married Martha Ann Ogburn, July 12, 1937. Children: Sara Ann (Mistress Larry M. Faust), Walter Kenneth, Nancy Craven Richey.