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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

WILLIAM SEVERN -ACTOR, TV EVANGELIST, NORTH HOLLYWOOD ATHLETE

Born in January of 1938 in Hollywood, little Billy Server got an early dose of show business. By the time he graduated from North Hollywood High School, William Churchill Roosevelt Severn had half a dozen films to his credit. His most important role came in 1942 when he played "Peter Humphreys" in the motion picture "Journey for Margaret". In 1944, Billy was in "Eagle Squadron", followed in 1944 in "The Story of Dr. Wassell" (1944), and "Son of Lassie". He was also in the films
"The Enchanted Forest" done in 1945 and "The Bride Goes Wild" in 1948.
After Bill's graduation from North Hollywood High School, he developed an interest in religion and became involved in a Christian fundamentalist movement. Eventually, Severn entered the ministry as a television evangelist, out of Ventura, California. His televised activities took him to Christian enclaves in many parts of the world. He died suddenly at the age of 45 in 1983and is buried in Valley Oaks cemetery in Westlake Village, California.
The following is an article from the North Hollywood High School Arcade Student Newspaper, about Bill Severn (in the collection of Ray Marin) prublished on February 26, 1954.
(click on image to enlarge)

2 comments:

Dennis Swanson said...

Many of us in Ventura County knew him as Pastor Bill. He had a very deep love for God.

Dr Greg Hamlin said...

I knew him as Pastor Bill. He baptized me when I was 14. Very complicated man. He inspired so many, including me. But he had a Narcissistic streak that often made him seem self-promoting and harsh. Nevertheless, I am thankful for his influence. So many benefits from being I his orbit.