Longtime professor of education dies at 92

Courtesy of Abilene Reporter-News
Avinger

Dr. William Herschel Avinger, longtime Abilene resident and professor of education at Abilene Christian University, died suddenly Friday, March 21, 2008, at Hendrick Medical Center. He was 92.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the University Church of Christ with Dr. Eddie Sharp officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. The family will receive friends at a visitation 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

He was born Aug. 26, 1915, in Brownwood, Texas, to Willie Barnard and Dora Ethel {Hutcherson} Avinger and graduated from Brownwood High School in 1933. Herschel married Juanita Hunt on his birthday, Aug. 26, 1939.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Juanita Avinger; son, James Herschel Avinger and wife, Cindy, of Bellingham, Wash.; son, John Ross Avinger of Seattle, Wash.; four grandchildren, Jason Avinger of Seattle, Wash., Elias Avinger of Berkeley, Calif., Shawna Avinger and Eric Avinger, both of Seattle, Wash.; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Frances Warren of Brownwood, Texas.

Herschel graduated with a B.A. from Howard Payne College in 1937. He continued his graduate studies, receiving his M.A. from the University of Texas in Austin in 1943, and his Doctor of Education from Texas Tech in Lubbock in 1965. He served as teacher and later High School Principal in Coleman, Texas from 1937-1943; Principal at Marfa High School, Superintendent of Schools at Electra, Texas in 1947, and in Plainview Independent School District from 1954-1965. In 1965, Herschel became a Professor of Education at Abilene Christian College, and served as Director of Graduate Studies, retiring in 1985. He was named Teacher of the Year at Abilene Christian in 1982-1983.

Herschel was a servant. He and Juanita were long-time members of the University Church of Christ. Herschel worked many years with the Kiwanis Club and the Christian Service Center, and he loved helping his neighbors at Christian Village.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Christian Village, 633 East North 19th, Abilene, Texas 79601 or Christian Service Center, 901 Mesquite, Abilene, TX 79601.

If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office or call (325) 674-2696.