William Douglas Bingham

William Douglas Bingham, 87, of Frankfort, Kentucky, passed peacefully at home in the early morning hours of March 3, 2026. Born on September 6, 1938, in Bell County, Kentucky, he was the devoted husband of 69 years to Corrine Ovatt Bingham and a loving father to Barbara Sue, Charles Michael, Gretchen Leigh, and his youngest child, David Hugh, who preceded him in death.

Doug graduated from Bell County High School, where he excelled as an all-state football player. At eighteen, he left Kentucky and moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he attended the University of Richmond and began his successful career as a salesman with Industrial Supply Company. He later moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, furthering his career with ARO Corporation of Bryan, Ohio.

In 1972, Doug and Corrine faced the greatest trial of their lives when their two-year-old son, David Hugh, tragically fell into a creek and nearly drowned. Though he survived, he suffered severe brain injury and required constant care at home for two years. During this difficult season, Doug and Corrine placed their faith in Jesus Christ and accepted Him as their Savior. David Hugh went home to be with the Lord on August 20, 1974, at the age of four.

Shortly after David’s passing, alone in his hotel room during a business trip, Doug felt the Lord call him to preach as he read the words of Isaiah 61:1–2:“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.”

From that moment forward, Doug committed his life to the calling he believed the Lord had placed upon him. In 1975, he moved his family to Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he attended Southern Methodist College, part of the denomination he had joined shortly after his salvation. In preparation for the ministry, he completed his seminary studies, graduating in 1979. During those years of intense study, he also served as pastor of several Southern Methodist Churches.

Doug continued his studies at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degreein Bible while also pastoring Wesley Memorial Southern Methodist Church. After completing his education, Doug felt the Lord calling him back to Kentucky to plant a church in the small town of Frankfort. Free Grace Bible Church held its first service on August 14, 1988, beginning a ministry that would extend through decades and profoundly impact the lives of his son and sons-in-law—all ministers of the Gospel.

As Christians, we know that the life of a faithful servant casts a long shadow. Through both sorrow and joy, Doug faithfully preached the Word of God, and the Lord used his life and testimony to bring many to salvation. His life reminds us that a servant of Christ leaves a legacy that continues long after his earthly work is finished.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dorothy Bingham; his youngest child, David Hugh Bingham; and his great-grandson, Oliver Lamar Bonner.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Corrine; three children—Barbara Sue Dobson (husband Richard), Charles Michael Bingham (wife Sherry), and Gretchen Leigh Russell (husband Richard); six grandchildren—Eleanor Grace (Dobson) Dean (husband David), Katherine Leigh (Russell) Bonner (husband Jordan), William Cole Russell (wife Leanne), John Philip Bingham (wife Alexandria), Emma Christine (Dobson) Foerster (husband Craig), and Emily Lauren (Russell) King (husband Jake); and fifteen great-grandchildren and devoted brother, Don Bingham.

There will be a graveside service at Pineville Cemetery on Friday, March 6th at 11:00 am.

Officiating Ministers will be: Charles Bingham, Richard Dobson, and Richard Russell.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them (Rev. 14:13)