Dr. William Larcenia Templeton was born in Atkins, Arkansas to Will and Theola Templeton. His
actual birthday is April 1, 1922, however; in Arkansas there was a mix up with the paperwork
and his birthdate is legally listed as April 4, 1922. He attended high school in Menefee, Arkansas
and graduated from A & M College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. And he received a BA in Sociology
from Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Templeton served in the US Army
Medical Corp for three years. He was baptized in 1933 by Rev. W.B. Browlee, St. Matthews
Baptist Church, Blackwell, Arkansas. He received his call to preach the Gospel in 1943. He
married Barbara Jean Matthews of Ozark, Arkansas on August 21, 1946. To their union was one
daughter, Juanice Yvonne (decreased 1996) and Bradley Larcenia Templeton. In 1946 he
received the license to preach by the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Atkins, Arkansas, under the
leadership of Rev. I. H. McCrary. He was ordained into the Gospel ministry by the St. John
Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, Rev. Louie Embry was the pastor.
He was a circuit pastor from 1947 to 1949 for Palarm Chapel, Mayflower, Arkansas and Mount
Vernon Baptist Church Conway, Arkansas. In 1950, he was called to pastor Pilgrim Rest Baptist
Church, Van Buren, Arkansas. He pastored there for 9 years. From 1953 to 1959 he also
pastored Zion Baptist Church in Alma, Arkansas. He began his pastorate of the Mount Carmel
Missionary Baptist Church on September 6, 1959. At that time the church was located at 13th
and Monroe. Under his vision, the church purchased the current site 610 Lime and occupied it
on September 9, 1962. He leaves in his legacy at Mount Carmel, the church motto: “The Church
Where Everybody is Somebody.” He leaves the church colors, Royal Blue and Gold. And the
church symbol of the Cross in the wheel. That symbol represents, “World Redemption though
Jesus Christ. It was based from scriptures St. John 3:16-17, Ephesians 5:11-18, and Colossians
1:19-22. The outer rim of the wheel represents the world. And the inside of the wheel
represents the church body of Christ in the world.
Dr. W.L. Templeton is well respected in Topeka and throughout the United States. He has
served on many boards and participated in many organizations. In 1982 he was elected 2nd Vice
President of the Missionary Baptist State Convention. He served 6 years as Treasurer of State
Congress. In 1987 he was bestowed Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Western Baptist Bible
College. In 1984 he was elected 1st Vice President, Missionary Baptist State Convention of
Kansas for seven years under the leadership of Dr. W.G. Williams. He was a board member of
the Kaw Valley District Baptist Association. He served as president of the Baptist Ministers
Union, an instructor of the Western Baptist Bible College Extension School. He has taught in the
City, District and State Congresses of Christian Education. In 1999, Pastor Templeton was made
Vice President Emeritus of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas. In April, 2000 he
was honored for his years of service to the State Convention. He served as the immediate past
president of the Topeka/Lawrence Baptist Ministers Alliance.
Pastor Templeton maintained a very busy schedule but was never too busy when there was a
need for pastoral care, visiting the sick and shut in, time of bereavement, or if his presence was
need at a celebration. He retired from Mount Carmel December 2011 and became Pastor
emeritus. He did not limit his services only to the Mount Carmel membership. He was available
to all who needed him in the community. When he answered the call to go, he took that
directive seriously and made every effort to fulfill his calling even while staying as a patient at
the VA in Topeka, and attending the Adult Day Program at Midland Care. He always had his
bible and a voice to preach and pray.
His hobbies included Preaching, gardening, eating, and word finds.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Juanice, his wife Barbara, his sisters Bertha, Girtharee,
Loretta, Prealva, Angelean. Asalene, and Ocie, his brothers Hillery, Theodore, Elmer, and James
Edward, his grandson Jekkori E. Doby and great grandson Kalen A. Kirk.
He is survived by his son Bradley L. Templeton, special foster daughter Paula A. Rooks and her
sons Robert and Charles, granddaughter Tiffany Criss(Clifford), Justinn Doby(Rebecca), five
other granddaughters Chansn Tia Hayes, Valerie West(), Lexus Templeton, Lori Doby, Terry
Doby, Three grandsons Justinn Doby(Rebecca), Tre’son Templeton, Jerry Doby(Jessica). Sixteen
great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren, many loving nieces and nephews, sons and
grandsons in the ministry, children of Christ and a loving delegation of family and friends
throughout the country.

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