Background
Benfield, William Avery was born on July 5, 1915 in Greenville, West Virginia, United States. Son of William Avery and Mamie Etta (Bonds) Benfield.
Benfield, William Avery was born on July 5, 1915 in Greenville, West Virginia, United States. Son of William Avery and Mamie Etta (Bonds) Benfield.
AB, Davidson College, 1936; Doctor of Divinity, Davidson College, 1949; Bachelor's Degree, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 1939; Master of Theology, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 1940; Doctor of Theology, Southern Baptist Seminary, 1943; Doctor of Divinity, Morris Harvey College, 1970; Doctor of Humane Letters, Davis and Elkins College, 1979.
Ordained to ministry, Presbyterian Church, 1939;
pastor, Beechmont Presbyterian Church, Louisville, 1940;
professor Hebrew and old testament, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 1940-1944;
vice president, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 1945-1949;
senior minister, Highland Presbyterian Church, Louisville, 1949-1958;
senior minister, First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1958-1963;
senior minister, First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, West Virginia, 1963-1980;
Adjunct Professor theology, U. Charleston, 1980. Moderator General Assembly Presbyterian Church United States, 1970-1971. Chairman general council, Chairman of the Board annuities and relief.
Member Executive Committee Consultation on Church Union.
Trustee Davis and Elkins College, Centre College, Southwestern at Memphis, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, UnionTheol. Seminary, Richmond, Virginia. Member Beta Theta Phi.
Married Eunice Byrnside, August 31, 1938. Children: William Avery III, Robert Byrnside, John Milne.
