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Walter
L. Wilson
1881 - 1969
"Beloved, never forget this as long as you live: NEVER REST
ON ANYTHING YOU CAN LOSE. That is the reason the Saviour, the
Rock of Ages, said, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' This rest lasts on
through the valleys and doesn't leave you when the Death Angel
knocks at your door and says, 'The Master has sent for you.'"
Walter L. Wilson was born in 1881 at Aurora, Indiana. After
his mother died the following year, he lived with his
grandmother. He trusted Christ as a teenager, but selecting
his life's work so challenged young Walter that he
methodically listed 45 potential trades and professions.
Prayerfully the list was whittled down, and his early interest
in medicine triumphed.
He received his M. D. from the
University of Kansas and settled down to a practice in Webb
City, Missouri. During medical school, Wilson had worked
part-time in his father-in-law's tent-making business and had
no intention of returning to the business world after
graduation, but the serious illness of his father-in-law
resulted in the fact that, for a quarter century, Wilson was a
part-time doctor and a full-time tentmaker. Customers included
the legendary Buffalo Bill.
During World War I, he devised a
method of camouflaging and waterproofing tents in response to
an urgent request from General Pershing's headquarters in
France. Like H. A. Ironside and others, Wilson was never
ordained, but he was able to found the Central Bible Hall,
Kansas City, which became Central Bible Church, and remained
at its helm until retirement in 1961, when he became pastor
emeritus.
His increasing burden for a school to train
college-level young people who were called of God led Wilson
to open the Kansas City Bible Institute in 1932 (now called
Calvary Bible College). Wilson began a radio ministry in 1924,
becoming one of the pioneers in that medium. His wide-ranging
subjects included medical themes, as well as hardware and
carpentry. But every message was anchored in the Word of God
and gave a clear plan of salvation.
Wilson authored 26 books,
numerous brochures, and other publications including medical
and religious articles. He had a unique, heartwarming,
captivating style. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson had eight children.
In the spring of 1969, approaching the age of 88,
Dr. Wilson suffered a stroke and died May 24, 1969. |


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