William James Allred

Rev. Dr. William James (Jim) Allred, 79, died peacefully at home May 31, 2024, following a long illness with brain cancer.  Jim, the son of William (Bill) Allred and Claudia Wells Allred, was born in Waukegan, IL, October 24, 1944, while his father was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base. Much of Jim’s early life was spent in Oklahoma. In 1957, his family moved to Michigan when he was thirteen and starting the eighth grade. During his Jr. and Sr. high school years in Gladwin and Grand Haven, he was active in sports, band, and musical theater, performing the lead in Finian’s Rainbow his senior year.  During these years, he attended church youth groups, where he was influenced by a youth pastor to read through his Bible yearly for direction and inspiration. This was a challenge he accepted and practiced throughout the rest of his life.

Jim graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1962 and then graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts degree in 1965. During his time at MSU, Jim enjoyed singing in a trio who sang at different events around campus.  While the trio had some interest in pursuing their dreams of a musical career, Jim felt the calling of becoming a pastor and preaching the gospel.  Following graduation, he attended Southwestern Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX and Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. He completed his Master of Divinity degree at Methodist Theological School in Delaware, OH and then his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Jim was a respected pastor of several churches in Michigan including Center Eaton and Brookfield United Methodist Churches in Charlotte, MI., United Methodist Churches in Climax and Scotts, MI. and Country Christian Community Church in Scotts, MI.  He later pastored Homestead Community Church in Beulah, MI. before retiring in 2017.

Jim will be remembered for his love of his Lord Jesus Christ and his family and friends. He was an avid deer hunter and loyal MSU Spartan fan. He was known for his beautiful bass voice and his thorough enjoyment of telling puns and having fun with words. As a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, pastor, and friend, he will be missed by all.

Jim is survived by his wife of 32 years, Susan Van Dort Allred, his sons, Mark (Tara) Allred and Nathan (Kayleen) Allred, his daughter Kara (Duane) Burfield, and precious grandchildren Ayla and Gavin Burfield. He is also survived by his sisters Beverly Schroeder and Ruth Curry, and sister-in-law Kristine Allred. Preceding Jim in death were his parents Bill and Claudia Allred, brother Don Allred and brother-in-law Keith Schroeder.

A memorial service for Jim will be held on June 22, 2024 at the Comins Community Church of Comins, MI. at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the memorial service.  A fellowship meal will be provided following the service.  Memorial contributions in honor of Jim can be made to the Comins Community Church or a charity of choice.

Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI