Renowned Theologian, Longtime Fuller Professor Rev. William E. Pannell Dies at 95

Fuller Theological Seminary announced the death of Rev. William E. Pannell, Ph.D., a pioneering Black theologian and longtime professor at the institution. Pannell passed away in the early morning of Friday, Oct. 11, at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking work on race relations within American evangelicalism.

“Bill Pannell’s winsome personality, thoughtful engagement, faithful witness, and pioneering spirit won many hearts and earned much respect from students, colleagues, and believers near and far,” said Fuller President David Emmanuel Goatley. “His participation in my inauguration as Fuller’s sixth and first African American president was an important moment for him to experience, and in many ways, I, along with many others, stand on his shoulders.”

Born in 1929 in Sturgis, Michigan, Pannell converted to Christianity during his junior year of high school. He earned his BA from Fort Wayne Bible College in 1951, studied Black history at Wayne State University, and later received an MA in social ethics from the University of Southern California in 1980. He also held honorary degrees from Malone College, Geneva College, and Taylor University.

Pannell’s career in ministry began as an evangelist before joining Youth for Christ as assistant director of leadership training from 1964 to 1968. He then served with Tom Skinner Associates as associate evangelist and vice president until 1974.

In 1971, Pannell became Fuller’s first African American trustee. He joined the faculty in 1974 as assistant professor of evangelism and director of the Black Pastors’ Program. During his 40-year tenure, Pannell held several significant positions, including Arthur DeKruyter/Christ Church Oak Brook Professor of Preaching from 1992 to 2000 and dean of the chapel from 1992 to 1998.

“Dr. William E. Pannell has been a singular transformative influence at Fuller Theological Seminary for decades,” said President Emeritus Mark Labberton. “But it was the man himself — his courage, boldness, honesty, wisdom, warmth, humor, and faith — that left such a deep impact.”

Pannell’s influence extended beyond academia. He authored influential books, including “My Friend, the Enemy” (1968) and “The Coming Race Wars?: A Cry for Reconciliation” (1993), which was re-released in 2021 with a new introduction by Jemar Tisby. From May to July 1983, he hosted “Faithways,” a television series covering contemporary moral and social issues.

In 1993, Pannell received the C. Davis Weyerhaeuser Award for Excellence from his faculty colleagues. In 2015, Fuller renamed its Center for African American Church Studies in his honor.

Dwight A. Radcliff Jr., academic dean of the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies, offered this tribute: “There are a plethora of prefixes and a multitude of monikers that could be used in conjunction with the Rev. Dr. William E. Pannell. He was a husband, father, mentor, professor, confidant, prophet, advisor, preacher, trustee, pastor, and trailblazer for so many. Above all of these, however, he loved Jesus.”

Just weeks before his passing, Fuller hosted the premiere of “The Gospel According to Bill Pannell,” a documentary featuring Pannell’s words from sermons, speeches, and interviews throughout his life. Pannell recorded a final video message thanking attendees.

Pannell is survived by his son Peter, daughter-in-law Luann, and five grandchildren: Taylor, Grace, Eric, Ezekiel, and Justus. His wife Hazel passed away in 2021, and his son Philip died in 2015.

Fuller Seminary plans to hold a memorial service, with details forthcoming. The institution encouraged those wishing to honor Pannell’s memory to support the work of the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies.