Longtime Baptist communicator Bill Bangham died Nov. 14 at 82.
Beginning his career as a freelance writer and photographer, Bangham wrapped up his full-time roles in 2016 as the director of The Academy in Richmond, Virginia, leading students in storytelling, advanced multidisciplinary communications training and more. Prior to that he spent 33 years serving in different communications-related roles in Baptist life, including 19 years with the International Mission Board (IMB).
Storied career
He became editor of World Mission Journal for the Brotherhood Commission in 1981 and served in that position until 1989. Then he became an editor at the Home Mission Board (now NAMB), serving on the staff of MissionsUSA magazine.
In 1995 he moved to the Foreign Mission Board (now IMB) where he was their director of presentation and later editor-in-chief of IMB’s flagship publication, The Commission magazine, in 2000.
In 2003, Bangham became director of photography at the IMB and then editorial and photography director in 2006. In 2008 his role changed to director of media production until he became The Academy’s director in 2014.
Widely honored
Bangham was a lifetime member of Baptist Communicators Association and served as its president in 2010–2011. He held the unique distinction of having been awarded seven BCA grand prize awards in four separate divisions — including photography, feature writing, news writing and publication design — and his work was honored by many other organizations as well through the years.
He is survived by his wife, Dianne, and two children.
A memorial service will be held in the coming weeks at Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The information for this obituary was compiled by Baptist Communicators Association and edited by The Baptist Paper staff. Joe Westbury contributed.
