Two retired bishops die on same day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church regrets to announce the deaths of two retired bishops, Bishop Benjamin Chamness and Bishop William B. Oden.

Bishop Benjamin Chamness

Bishop Benjamin Chamness died Saturday, December 22, 2018 in Huntsville, Texas, with his wife, Joye, and family by his side.

Bishop Chamness was elected to the episcopacy by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in 2000 and assigned to the Fort Worth Area. Bishop Chamness served as the resident Bishop of the Central Texas Conference and the Fort Worth Area. He retired from the episcopacy in 2008.

Bishop Benjamin Chamness will be buried at Rehobeth UMC (126 Co Rd 207, Carthage, TX 75633) on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 2 pm. His memorial service will be at First UMC of Huntsville (1016 Sam Houston Ave, Huntsville, TX 77320) on Friday, January 4, 2019 at 11 am. Clergy who attend the memorial service are invited to wear robes with white stoles and sit as a group. Clergy spouses who are present are invited to sit with their spouses.

Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Joye Chamness
319 Elkins Lake
Huntsville, TX 77340

Former Council of Bishops President Bishop William B. Oden.

With his family surrounding him, Bishop William B. Oden passed away on Saturday, December 22, 2018 in Highlands Ranch, CO.

Bishop Oden was elected to the episcopacy by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in 1988; he served the Louisiana Area (1988 -1996), and the Dallas Area from 1996 until his retirement in 2004. He served as Ecumenical Officer of the Council of Bishops from 2004-2008.

Bishop Oden was president of the Council of Bishops from 2000-2001.

Please keep his wife, Marilyn, and their children in your prayers.

Condolences can be sent to:
Mrs. Marilyn Oden
3091 Mill Vista Road #1214
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Funeral details are still being planned.