The Rev. William “Bill” Curp, 76, of Herculaneum died Jan. 19, 2019, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. The Rev. Curp served as both a pastor and missionary. A servant leader who was passionate about the physical and spiritual needs of those around him, his love for Christ and desire for all to know Him was evident in everything he did. He served as a pastor of Dockery Baptist Church near Richmond and Browning Baptist Church in Turney before answering a call to international missions. He and his wife would spend the next 22 years serving in East Africa, where he was known as “Kikombi.” In 1994 he accepted the position of director of missions for the Jefferson Baptist Association, serving for 19 years until his retirement in late 2013. He also served in leadership roles in many organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, The Missouri Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. He loved to tinker in his garage, hunt, fish, and spend time with his family. Born Jan. 12, 1943, in Utica, he was the son of the late Wanetta Eunice (Needles) and Ira Lee Curp. He was preceded in death by his wife: Beverly June (Stephens) Curp.
He is survived by two sons: William “Tony” (Susan) Curp of Austin, Texas, and Tim (Melissa) Curp of St. Peters; three daughters: Stephanie (Robert) Wood-Bliven of Herculaneum, Robin (David) Stow of Richmond, Va., and Becky (Chris) Uding of Festus; three brothers: Bobby (Brenda) Curp of Cowgill, Jerry (Wanda) Curp of Liberty and Jimmy (Barb) Curp of Polo; three sisters: Mary Jo (the late Billy) Gastineau of Polo, Shirley (the late Jimmy Joe) Hicks of Polo and Linda (Bruce) Whitney of Villa Hills, Ky.; a sister-in-law: Barbara Curp of Polo; and 15 grandchildren: Malaika Uding, Gabrielle Wood, Anna Marie (Trenton) Hagerty, Lily Uding, Caleb Stow, Nicholas Wood, Chloe Stow, Samuel Stow, Tucker Uding, Tate Uding, twins Will and Ellie Curp, Hudson Curp, Lincoln Curp and Alaina Curp.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Donald Lee Curp.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at Faith Baptist Church, 11835 County Road CC, in Festus. Visitation is at 10 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the church, officiated by the Rev. Elijah Wanje and the Rev. Ben Hess. Burial is in the Peaceful Meadows Cemetery in Hillsboro. Memorials may be made to the Bill Curp Missions Memorial Fund, c/o Jefferson Baptist Association: P.O. Box 100, Mapaville, 63065. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.