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William H. Copeland Jr.
For almost 50 years, Rev. William H. Copeland, Jr. has been a shining star in the Kankakee community. Called to pastor the Morning Star Baptist Church in 1971, Rev. Copeland has consistently shown ...view moreFor almost 50 years, Rev. William H. Copeland, Jr. has been a shining star in the Kankakee community. Called to pastor the Morning Star Baptist Church in 1971, Rev. Copeland has consistently shown his concern not only for the souls and the spiritual wellbeing of mankind, but also for the social conditions people daily face. Rev. Copeland has battled for the rights of every child to have equal access to a quality education. He has organized marches against gangs and violence and helped to negotiate gang truces in the Kankakee community. He has been a leader in the fight against racism and injustice throughout the Kankakee community and his service and accomplishments have been recognized nationally.
Born in Winn Parish, Louisiana, to Georgia Ann and William H. Copeland Sr., Rev. Copeland was the last of 14 children. After completing high school in Winfield, Louisiana, he earned a bachelor’s of science degree from Missouri Western University in St. Joseph, Missouri. He has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Morris College, Sumter, S.C. (1975) and McKinley Theological Seminary, Jackson, Miss. (1977).
Rev. Copeland is a veteran of the U. S. Army and served in the U.S. Army Combat Engineers from 1952 to 1955, including eighteen months in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1955.
In February 1967, Rev. Copeland was called to pastor the First Baptist Church of Elwood, Kansas. He served in Elwood for five years. Rev. Copeland also worked as an elementary and junior high school teacher and has teaching certificates from the State of Kansas and Missouri. He coached football and basketball in Elwood. In 1971, Rev. Copeland was called to pastor the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.
Under the tenure of Pastor Copeland, the Morning Star purchased land and erected a half-million dollar edifice in 1976 for which the mortgage was fully satisfied in 1986 and purchased and renovated what now serves as the Morning Star Community Center.
Pastor Copeland is married to Leola Copeland. He has two sons, Walter Klein and Kenneth Edward Copeland; and one daughter, Monica Fountain.view less
Books by William H. Copeland Jr.
The Lord Will Provide: The Life & Times of Rev. William H. Copeland