Hi! I’m Willie Batson
Thank you for visiting my website! I am the Founder and Lead Coach for W.C.Batson Coaching Services, a retired (but not inactive) pastor, and the author of two books – Tools for a Great Marriage and Tools for a Great Marriage Devotional. It’s been my privilege to speak and teach for more than 40 years on marriage, parenting, and personal growth topics. I aim to inspire my audiences with practical information that challenges individuals and couples to work through relational issues with a Christ-centered approach.
In 1970 I met my late wife, Cindy, while we were students at a Christian college, and we were married in 1972. We were well acquainted with the unique needs of couples dealing with challenging situations in their lives. Cindy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1991. She progressively became disabled to the point of spending most of her waking hours in a wheelchair. Throughout all of the challenges brought on by a chronic illness, we learned to celebrate the joys of marriage, be realistic about the difficulties, and value the promises made to each other. I wrote an article that shares more of this part of our story. Please read it here. After fighting a courageous battle with complications related to MS, Cindy peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus on February 19, 2018. I was able to be with her and comfort her during those final moments. More information about Cindy’s life and our celebration of her life and faith can be seen here: Tribute to Cindy Batson.
Four years after Cindy’s passing I married Debbie Hornsby. Our meeting and the development of our relationship was truly a God-orchestrated event in each of our lives. Debbie was married to Rick for 34 years before he passed away in 2019 from cancer. Ten years prior he had a double lung transplant and Debbie was his advocate and partner through some challenging health issues. Rick and Debbie were very active in their local church working in youth ministries and had significant involvement with Sheridan House Family Ministries in South Florida.
We met briefly in 2020 but did not pursue our relationship until 2021 through some interesting God-ordained circumstances. We made a video of how we met and it can be viewed here. We were married in a beautiful ceremony on July 6, 2022, with many of our family and friends present.
Debbie has been a dental hygienist, a Christian school teacher, and a youth athletic coach. She completed a course with the National Academy of Sports Medicine to become a Certified Wellness Coach, helping individuals pursue health and wellness in their physical and emotional lives. She also joins me in speaking at marriage getaways and coaching couples.
In combining our families we now have five adult children (2 for Willie and 3 for Debbie) and 11 grandchildren (6 for Willie and 5 for Debbie). We are currently dividing our time between East Tennessee and New England.
Our path has been marked by the evidence of God’s goodness in our lives. We believe he has brought us together to continue helping couples and families build better relationships. We are ready to serve as God gives us the opportunity.
(Click on the pictures for a larger view.)
Professional
“Willie Batson has a heart for God and a passion to help make a difference in light of eternity through strengthening marriage and family relationships.”
“Willie is a fellow marriage builder who has a desire to see marriages thrive and to see churches lead the way in marriage enrichment. The kind of practical help he has been providing to couples and churches is needed throughout our nation.”