Funeral service for Retired SFC Willie Dean Grove, 88 of Harker Heights, TX will be held Friday, January 28, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Deliverance and Praise COGIC Church in Harker Heights, TX. Burial with full military honors will follow the service at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022 (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) at the Cathedral of Deliverance and Praise COGIC Church in Harker Heights, TX.

On January 16, 2022, Superintendent Willie Dean Grove, founder and presiding pastor of The Garden of Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, passed on to his heavenly home at age 88. He was surrounded by his family.

Born September 30, 1933, in Claysburg, Pennsylvania, Willie Dean Grove grew to be an outstanding athlete. He was an extraordinary basketball and football player, but truly excelled in baseball. He was recruited to play in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952.

Pastor Grove served actively in the U.S Army for 22 Years, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He also served three tours in Germany. While attending Basic Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Willie Grove met his future wife, Florence Gaither. Their union continued for 67 years, and together they transitioned from a successful military career to a life of ministry.

Willie Dean Grove's ministry journey began when he was stationed in Germany where he became a fellowship leader. Nearly fifteen years after retirement and a move to Central Texas, Supt. Grove felt the call to become a pastor.  He and his wife, Florence, established The Garden of the Gethsemane COGIC in 1991, in a building that was formerly Harker Heights' first post office.

During his pastorate, Pastor Grove and his wife served as Superintendent and District Missionary of the C.H. Mason District of the Texas Southeast Second Jurisdiction of The COGIC. Missionary Grove characterizes her and her husband's journey in ministry as one that has been "all about faith." With 30 years of service, Superintendent Grove was one of the longest-serving pastor among COGIC churches in Texas Southeast Second Jurisdiction and in the Harker Heights area.

Pastor Grove is survived by his loving wife, Florence Grove; one daughter, Lois Wyche; his sister, Annie Ross, four grandchildren; an abundance of great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandsons.  He is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Ophelia Grove; his brother, Geoffrey Grove; and his sister Lois Grove.