LA HR14

Louisiana House of Representatives expresses condolences on the death of Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw, who passed away on March 7, 2026

Reverend Shaw served as pastor of White Rock Baptist Church in West Philadelphia for 70 years beginning in 1956, making him one of the region's longest-tenured ministers

Served two terms as president of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Born in Marshall, Texas, he graduated summa cum laude from Bishop College at age 19 and earned degrees from Union Theological Seminary and Colgate Rochester Divinity School

Made significant civic contributions in Philadelphia, serving as executive director of the Opportunities Industrialization Center and chairing the trustee board of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania