Phillip J. Birchall, Sr.

Rev. Philip James Birchall, Sr., age 87, of Franklinville died Friday, June 28, 2013 at his home. Mr. Birchall, Sr. was born January 13, 1926 in Barnesboro, PA. the son of James Birchall, Jr. and Delila Curry Birchall. He was a graduate of Barnesboro High School, then served in the Army Air Corp from 1944 to 1946 during World War II as a Tail Turret Gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber. He also served as a Chaplin's assistant, with the Overseas Replacement Depot, in Greensboro, NC. After the war, Philip attended Houghton College in NY and received his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Biblical Literature, and Theology. He then attended New York University where he received a M.A. degree from the school of education and a graduate of The Biblical Seminary in NY, then onto State University of New York in Jamestown, NY with a Major in English. Philip also attended Guilford College in Greensboro and University of NC in Chapel Hill. Rev. Birchall, Sr. served in the Pastorate for 58 years both in NY and NC also serving as District Secretary, Rochester Conference and Western NY; President of Houghton Camp Meeting Association and Delegate of General Conference of The Wesleyan Church, Rev. Birchall was Dean of The Southern Pilgrim College in Kernesville from 1957 to 1962 and was President of Houghton Academy, in Houghton, NY from 1962 - 1969. Some of the churches in NC include: Midway Wesleyan, Randleman; Central Wesleyan, Asheboro; Ennis Street Wesleyan, High Point; Mt. Zion Wesleyan, Seagrove; Clyde Wesleyan, Clyde; Mt. Wesley Wesleyan, Hiddenite and Sandy Cross Wesleyan, Reidsville. In addition to his parents, Philip is also preceded in death by 2 sisters and 3 brothers. He is survived by his wife of 65 years: Helen Pegram Birchall, Sr. of the home; children: Charlotte Robb and her husband Jim of Franklinville, Charles and Andrew Birchall both of Nashville, TN., Philip Birchall, Jr. and his wife Vivian of Salisbury, and David Birchall and his wife Phyllis of the home; 7 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; sister: Evie Heineman; step sister: Phyllis Schmiedt and her husband Doug, of Santa Clara, Utah. The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 2, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pugh Funeral Home, 600 South Main Street, Randleman, NC. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Midway Wesleyan Church, 331 Worthville Rd., Randleman with Rev. J. Arnold Luther and Rev. Jerry Lumston, District Superintendant, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice Of Randolph, P.O. Box 9, Asheboro, NC 27204-0009 or Midway Wesleyan Church, 331 Worthville Rd., Randleman, NC 27317. Online condolences may be made at pughfuneralhome.com