William Wilford Heflin
1899-1969
[need photo]
The Life of W. Wilford Hefin
W. Wilford Heflin was born in March 1, 1899 in Graves County, in western Kentucky. His parents were Harrison H. Heflin (1860-1936) and Laura Mason Heflin (1865-1936). He was married to Eddie Mae Thomas, daughter of John E. and Mattie Thomas in Madison, Tennessee, August 8, 1925. They had two children, Eva Laura (1940-2007) and a son, Wilford, Jr. (1929-2017). Wilford was a preacher of the gospel, who spent much of his preaching years in Florida, working closely with Mt. Dora Childrens' Home.
Wilford, Sr. attended Freed-Hardeman College as a young man, and determined to enter the ministry. While in school he filled in for preachers in the area. After graduation he went back to Boaz, Kentucky to preach. He was a capable song leader, and led in many gospel meeting efforts for other preachers. After a short time in Nashville, he moved to Camden, Arkansas in 1924 to work for the church there. In 1926, his family moved to Florence, Alabama where he became the preacher for the Sherrod Avenue church of Christ.
According to Year Book and Directory of Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ in 1926, it is said that brother Heflin began working with the church January 1, 1926, "as a God Fearing man who is neither afraid nor ashamed to declare the counsel of God. He comes to us after spending several years in the evangelistic field. Brother Heflin has been a student under such men as A. G. freed, N. B. Hardeman, H. Leo Boles, E. A. Elam and others. He was graduated from the Murray University – 1924."
In July 1925 he held a debate with W.D. McCoy of the Baptist church on the subject of salvation and the church. The debate was held in New Site, Mississippi.
In 1930 he moved down to Haleyville, Alabama to work with churches in the area. While there, Wilford, Jr. was born.
From 1957 to 1963, he lived at Dogwood, Graves County, near his home where preached for the Spring Creek church of Christ.
W. Wilford Heflin passed away June 26, 1969 while living in Mayfield, Kentucky. He was buried in the Spring Creek church of Christ cemetery.
-Scott Harp, 01.15.2020
Debate Report To The Gospel Advocate
Gospel Advocate, September 24, 1925, page 933
Meeting Work In Mississippi
Gospel Advocate, September 15, 1932, p.1027
Advertisement Of Work
The Advertiser Journal, Thursday, January 2, 1930, page 1 (Haleyville, Alabama)
Directions To Grave
The Spring Creek church of Christ Cemetery is located in Dogwood, Graves County, West Kentucky. The church and cemetery are located on the corner of County Roads 849 and 1684. Located between the Land Between The Lakes and the Mississippi River, this rural location is best approached from I-24, south of Paducah. See GPS location below as it pinpoints the exact location of the grave in the cemetery.
GPS Location
36°52'59.5"N 88°34'30.6"W
36.883203,-88.575172
HEFLIN
Eddie May - 1901-1985
W. Wilford - 1899-1969
Photos Taken 02.07.2018
Webpage produced 01.15.2020
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
