Pastor William "Bill" Charles Zima

Bill served as a pastor for over 24 years and was the pastor at Friedens Lutheran Church in Gibsonville, NC for 13 years. He graduated from Newberry College in 1988, and received his M.Div from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1998.  He previously served Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Falls Church, VA and Lutheran Chapel in Gastonia, NC.

He is survived by his wife, Jenni and daughter, Lydia “Dia” Zima both of the home; mother, Donna Kay Gray of Largo, FL; in-laws Wayne and Janice Graham of Charleston, SC; siblings, Regina Rae Haller (Louis) of Marietta, GA, Jeffrey Zima of Mary Esther, FL, Kimberly Zima of Largo, FL and Adam Zima (Heather) of Largo, FL; siblings-in-law Karen Melissa Graham of Charleston, SC and Robert Graham of Hong Kong; and six nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father.

Bill enjoyed many hobbies including knife collecting and throwing, baseball cards, hiking, and cooking new recipes for his family and friends.  He had a great sense of humor and was easy to talk to, making friends everywhere he went. He served his community as chaplain of Fire Station 28 in Gibsonville and on the board of Lutherans Episcopals and Friends at Elon University.  He enjoyed meeting regularly with pastors of other denominations for prayer and ministry partnerships. With his spiritually bright personality he shared the love of Jesus with everyone he met. Being a “big kid” himself, he especially enjoyed serving the youth of the church at summer confirmation camp.

A celebration of life service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 18, 2022 at Friedens Lutheran Church with Pastor Bernie Hess officiating, burial to follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the graveside service.

Memorials may be made to Friedens Lutheran Church-Confirmation Camp, 6001 NC Hwy 61 North, Gibsonville, NC 27249.