Dr. Levi Price, Jr.

Dr. Levi Price Jr. age 83 of Waco, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. 

Private family graveside services with Marine Corps honors will be at Hemmeline Cemetery near Gatesville. Memorial services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Waco with Dr. Matt Snowden officiating. 

Levi Weldon Price was born on Christmas Day in 1941 in Gorman, Texas, and grew up in a pastor’s home, moving to several different places throughout his childhood. He graduated from high school in Monahans, Texas, in 1960 and married the love of his life, Luethyl Dawkins, on May 28, 1962. They spent 62 years building a life together—one full of faith, service, and family.

Levi earned his degree from Baylor University in 1964 before serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1964 to 1968. As a combat engineer in Vietnam, he achieved the rank of Captain and received a battlefield commendation for his service.

In 1976, he earned his Doctor of Ministry from Golden Gate Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. He pastored churches in Richmond, Fresno, and Milpitas, California, before serving as a missionary in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, through the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.

His ministry then led him to El Paso, Texas, where he served as the pastor of First Baptist Church for 17 years. During his time there, he remained deeply mission-minded, launching outreach initiatives to serve the community. He founded a Businessmen’s Lunch for men who worked downtown, creating a space for fellowship and spiritual growth, and faithfully shepherded the congregation for nearly two decades.

Later, he became a professor of Christian Ministries at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, a role he cherished as he mentored future leaders in the church. Even in retirement, he continued his calling, serving as an interim pastor for churches in Lorena, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Gatesville, Clifton, Crawford, and Waco.

One of the greatest joys of his life was Paisano Baptist Encampment near Alpine, Texas. His connection to the camp spanned nearly his entire life—first attending as a boy, then working in the cook shed as a teenager, and later preaching there while in college. He returned as a guest preacher before serving as its President for 20 years. Every summer, without fail, he made the trip to Paisano, pouring into the camp and the people there. It was not just a place he loved—it was part of who he was.

But above all, Levi’s proudest role was that of a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Luethyl; son, Timothy Levi; and his children, Alè and Mackenzie Price, Hope Stephens, and Elle Larson; daughter, Sara Gloria Welshimer and husband, Mark Welshimer; and their children, Beth, Rachel, and Nick Welshimer.

Levi’s legacy is one of faith, love, and service. He lived his life pouring into others, always pointing them to Christ.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated to Paisano Baptist Encampment, Paisano Baptist Assembly, P.O. Box 973, Alpine, TX 79831, https://www.paisanoencampment.org/how-to-give/ or Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, TX 76708, https://www.mch.org/ways-to-give/.