Rev. William "Howard" Holton

Rev. William Howard Holton was born on October 19, 1928 in Leesville, Louisiana to the late Hilda Marie (Franz) Holton and Henry Reed Holton. He went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in Keller, Texas at the age of 94 years and 8 months old.

William was told at a young age by his mother that he was named after the President, William Howard Taft. Howard was a charter member of Boy Scout Troop #74 sponsored by First Christian Church where he quickly became an Eagle Scout with two of his good friends in the least time required. He played the trumpet in the school band from the fourth grade all through high school. He was listed as First Chair of America and awarded a certificate as an outstanding high school musician. Howard also enjoyed buying guns for duck hunting in South Louisiana. After high school, Howard began preaching as an evangelist and held more than 60 meetings in Louisiana and Texas.

Shortly after marrying Jacqueline Hicks on December 4, 1949 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he began his pastoral ministry. In March of 1950, Howard began his first pastorate at Twin City Gospel Temple in Berwick, Louisiana. The congregation began with seven people in a home. As growth came, they moved into a tent and then to a building. It resulted in the constructing of a new church building.

In October of 1953, Ps. Holton became the pastor of Terrebonne Full Gospel Temple in Houma, Louisiana. During the ten years there, two mission churches were started in Plaquemine and Matthews, Louisiana.

In 1964, Ps. Holton was accepted as Pastor of Lake Charles Revival Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He pastored this church for 41 ½ years, In each of these pastorates, Ps. Holton expanded his ministry by means of radio broadcasts on local stations. Later he began broadcasts in the West Indies and Northern Philippines. Ps. Holton also hosted a television program on KPLC TV in Lake Charles for 16 years.

He was a founding member of Worldwide Missionary Evangelism and served as Vice-Chairman and Chairman.

Pastors Howard and Jackie Holton had great hearts for missions around the world. They made 16 mission trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Japan, Philippines, and Italy. Their legacy continues in those who are in ministry as lay leaders in churches, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and missionaries in the United States and other countries.

In 2006, Howard began his final position of his ministry as a member of the Pastoral Team of The Wisdom Center until 2023. He was devoted to his ministry until his passing and was a true instrument of the Lord

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilda Marie Franz Holton and Henry Reid Holton; and by his beloved wife of over 72 years, Jackie Holton on May 15, 2022.

Howard is survived by his children, daughter, Janet Susan Holton of Keller, Texas; son, David Joel Holton and wife, Sally of Port Gibson, Mississippi; daughter, Rebecca Holton Lormand and husband, Jim of Lake Charles, Louisiana; and son, Philip Holton and wife, Arthell of Lake Charles, Louisiana; 9 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate the lives of Pastors Howard and Jackie Holton will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, July 23, 2023 at Life United Church located at 1800 E. College Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70607.