William Claude Fillingim was gifted to the world on Christmas Day, December 25, 1937. He was the fourth of nine children born to A. E. “Nick” and Elaine (Waters) Fillingim in Pensacola, Florida. His parents and family instilled in him a love of laughter, a desire to learn, and a determination to work hard. He grew up going to church, and when he was 18, he came to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and was called to be a pastor. This became the driving force of the rest of his life.
After graduating from Pensacola High School, he attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree and completed the first year of his seminary degree. At that time, he was eager to go someplace else in the world and get some practical experience. This led him to Bloom, Kansas, where he took his first pastorship at the Bloom United Methodist Church. This opportunity gave him a love for the plains, a love for the people of western Kansas, and, specifically, the love of an amazing woman. He and Anita Lea Esplund were married on August 3, 1963.
After their marriage, Claude and Anita moved to Boston, Massachusetts in order for Claude to finish his master’s degree in theology at Boston University. He obtained the degree, but more importantly, he and Anita welcomed the birth of their first child, Tanya Lea, in September of 1964.
On completion of his degree, Claude accepted the pulpit in Bucklin, Kansas, at the United Methodist Church. During their nine years there, he and Anita impacted countless lives. Two children would also be born here: Layne Waters (who died at birth) and Debra Kay. In 1974, the family moved so that Claude could pastor at the United Methodist Church in Kingman, Kansas. Once again, Claude and Anita’s ministry played a major role in shaping the spiritual journey of those in their charge. One more child would be added to the family: David Wesley.
When his time at Kingman was through, rather than go directly to another pulpit, Claude decided to take his family to Campbell, California to seek some training. After eight months it became clear that the Fillingims needed to return to Kansas. They came back to headquarter in Minneola, Kansas for four months before taking charge of the United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Kansas. Claude pastored the church for three years and then decided to pursue his relationship with God in new ways. At first, he and Anita simply led a Bible study. It was not long before that Bible study became the creation of a new church: the Lincoln Christian Fellowship. They would continue to pastor there until 2003. In addition, he traveled extensively with the purpose of ministering to ministers in several countries around the world.
If you can call it retirement, Claude and Anita decided to retire to Thomaston, Georgia in order to be closer to Claude’s siblings. Once again, their ministry took off in powerful ways. They became part-time caterers and Bible study leaders. They turned their home into a spiritual oasis for all who entered.
The desire to be near to grandchildren (Tanya’s kids: Aaron and Kaylea) drew Claude and Anita back to Kansas. They returned to Kingman in 2012. Once again, they threw themselves into ministry: hosting Bible studies, catering events, and meeting the needs of those who came across their path.
Anita graduated to heaven in 2015. Claude had loved her with all his heart, but he also knew he had more love to give. It wasn’t long before he realized he desired a companion. His friendship with Pat (Sayles), whom he had officially known since 1974, turned into love. He married this amazing woman in the summer of 2017. They set up home in Hutchinson, Kansas. Their love was both precious and profound.
Claude departed this life on the evening of Saturday, August 19, 2023, in his home. He is preceded in death by his parents (A. E. and Elaine Fillingim), his first wife (Anita Esplund Fillingim), a child (Layne Waters Fillingim), and four siblings (Archie “Nick” Fillingim Jr., Janice Henderson, Ralph Fillingim, and Margaret Davis).
He is survived by his second wife (Pat Fillingim), three children and their spouses (Tanya and David Hein, Debra and Darin Raffety, and David and Erica Fillingim), two grandchildren (Aaron Hein and Kaylea Hein), four siblings and their spouses (Charles and Diane Fillingim of Pensacola, Florida, Robert and Linda Fillingim of Robertsdale, Alabama, James and Kay Fillingim of Daphne, Alabama, and Sharon and George Erickson of Pensacola, Florida), several in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends. His was a life well-lived.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023, at First Congregational Church, 3410 N. Plum, Hutchinson, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. Graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m. in the Appleton Township Cemetery, Minneola, KS. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary.
Click here to view Claude's funeral service.
Memorials are suggested to the W. Claude Fillingim Memorial Fund (for the family to distribute to organizations Claude was passionate about), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.