Funeral service for Ret. CPT (Rev) William Arthur Forbes Jr., 82 of Copperas Cove, TX will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022, 12:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in McGregor, TX. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) at the church.

Burial with full military honors will be held Monday, August 15, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Reverend Forbes passed away August 6, 2022, in Killeen, TX. He was born July 13, 1940, in New Bern, NC.

"To everything there is a season. A time to be born..." Ecclesiastes 3:2

William A. Forbes, Jr., was born on July 13, 1940. He was born to William and Mable Forbes in the historical James City Community of Craven County, North Carolina.

"When I was a child..." I Corinthians 13:11

He attended Rosenwald Public schools where he graduated from Rosenwald High School. After graduation he joined the United States Army. While in the U. S. Army he accomplished these things:

• 1958: Basic Training at Ft. Hood, Texas
• 1958-1960: Germany 23rd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Army Division
• 1960: Achieved perfect Scores with the main gun of the battle tank twice at International Competition
• 1960-1962: Returned to Ft. Hood 17th Battalion, 2nd Army Division
• 1962-1964: 24th Engineer Battalion, 4th Amor Division in Germany
• 1964-1965: Went to Ft. Mead, Maryland, 19th Engineer Battalion
• 1965-1966: Provided heavy combat engineer support
• 1967: Went to OCS School in Ft. Lee, Virginia
• 1968: Graduation from OCS School, 2LT Company A 501 Supply and Transport
• 1969: Battalion Commander of Headquarters 501 Supply and Transport Battalion 1 Armor Division
• 1970: Sent to Advance Corp in Ft. Lee, Virginia
• 1971: Vietnam
• 1972-1974: Ft. Knox, Kansas as Supply Officer
• 1974-1977: Germany Subsistence Chief of 7th Corp
• 1977-1978: Ft. Riley, Kansas with 1st Infantry Division to make the unit Combat Ready for Vietnam
• 1978: Retired

Career Achievements:

• Bronze Star Medal, One Leaf Cluster
• Republic of Vietnam Distinctive Insigne of the Signal Corps
• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star
• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
• Armed Forces Reserve Metal Sharpshooter (M-16 Rifle)

"...They shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

William met and married Myrtle September 24th, 1964. Together they raised two sons Michael and Derrick Forbes.

"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart..." Colossians 3:23

Rev. William A Forbes Jr accepted his call to preach in July 1980 at Roberson Chapel AME Church in McGregor Texas. He was licensed to preach in April 1981 at Roberson Chapel AME Church under the leadership of Rev. Willie J. Morgan Sr. He was admitted to the Annual Conference in October 1981.

Rev. Forbes was Ordained a Deacon in September 1983 and later Ordained an Elder in October 1985.

His pastoral journey began at Liberty Hill AME Church in Lampasas, Texas where he served as the supply Pastor from 1983 to 1984. In October 1984 he was appointed the Pastor of Liberty Hill AME Church where he served until April 1992.

In April of 1992, Rev. Forbes was blessed to be assigned as the Pastor of Adams Chapel AME Church in Harker Heights, Texas where he served for 15 years.

By the grace of God in November 2007 he was assigned to Roberson Chapel AME Church in McGregor. Texas where he served for 8 years until his retirement.

Rev. Forbes was preceded in death by his parents William and Mable Forbes, sisters Elnora and Katherine, and brother Wilbert. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife Myrtle, sons Michael and Derrick, sister Edna, granddaughter Desilyn, niece Tranez Lacey, godchildren Racheal, LaShika, Felicia, Marcelle, Christina, LaKekai, Joseph and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members. Special thanks goes to Shirley, Theresa, Sibrena, Tammy, Adrian and Watson.