William “Bill” Edward Hull, pastor, professor, author dies

William “Bill” Edward Hull, who served in many roles at Samford University in Birmingham, died Dec. 10. He was 83. 

Hull, a Birmingham native, attended the University of Alabama and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard College (now Samford University), a master’s degree and doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and pursued postdoctoral study at the University of Göttingen, in Göttingen, Germany, and Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

Hull served as pastor of several churches including Beulah Baptist Church, Wetumpka (1950–1951); churches in Kentucky; and First Baptist Church, Shreveport, La. (1975–1987). He served multiple churches as interim pastor including Vestavia Hills Baptist Church; Riverchase Baptist Church; Southside Baptist Church and Huffman Baptist Church, all in Birmingham. 

The author of 18 books and contributor to 27 others, Hull also was the theologian in residence at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, Birmingham, from 1991 until the time of his passing. 

Hull was Samford’s provost from 1987 to 1996 and acting president in 1993. He was a professor at Samford from 1996 to 2000 and then research professor from 2000 until the time of his passing. Hull was named the alumnus of the year in 2005 and was awarded a doctor of letters honorary degree in 2008.

He was a professor at Southern Seminary in the New Testament department from 1954 to 1975. He served as the dean of the school of theology from 1969 to 1975 and as provost from 1972 to 1975.

Hull was preceded in death by his wife, Wylodine. He is survived by two children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.