Elizabethton’s William “Bill” and Catherine Armstrong were among the 2016 honorees for Milligan College’s Leaders In Christian Service.
During a special convocation ceremony Tuesday morning, Milligan College honored 10 members of the regional community for their contributions as servant leaders.
“A servant leader does not long for power,” said Milligan College President Bill Greer. “A servant leader’s passion is to put the needs of others before their own.”
Greer said a servant leader understand that by serving the needs of others they are serving God’s purpose.
Each of the honorees was presented with a statuette featuring a basin and a towel. Greer said the design of the award serves as a reminder of humility in leadership and service as demonstrated by Jesus when he washed the feet of his disciples, the story of which is related in the Book of John, Chapter 13.

After Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, he spoke to them to explain what he had done.
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:13-16)
“Jesus took a basin and towel and redefined leadership and service,” Greer said.
The humility that Greer spoke of was demonstrated by both Bill and Catherine Armstrong when they were asked about their awards.
“It’s beyond my comprehension,” Bill Armstrong said, when asked what he thought of being selected.
“I felt so very undeserving of this,” Catherine Armstrong said.
The Armstrongs were honored for their work in the field of education as well as their contributions to their community through public service. Both Bill and Catherine made careers out of teaching children — Bill for 41 years and Catherine for 40. He also served for a time on the Carter County Commission while she served on the Elizabethton Board of Education. The couple will celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary this month and they are active members of First United Methodist Church in Elizabethton.
Catherine said both she and Bill enjoyed their careers working with children — especially getting to watch so many kids grow up into such wonderful adults — but they did not think it was anything incredible enough to be recognized by Milligan College.
“It is probably the greatest honor I have ever received,” she said. “I have been given other awards before, but this has to be the ultimate.”
Bill agreed with his wife. “This was awesome,” he said.
In addition to Bill and Catherine Armstrong, the 2016 Leaders in Christian Service honorees include:
• Randy Brewer of Johnson City, is a science teacher and track & field coach at Science Hill High School.
• Garland “Bubba” Evely of Erwin, is senior vice president at the Bank of Tennessee.
• Charles “Chuck” Huffman of Kingsport, is a partner at Blackburn, Childers and Steagall, Certified Public Accountants.
• Dr. William Kennedy of Jonesborough, is a retired physician at Watauga Orthopedics.
• Michele King, of Johnson City, is the director of Care Services at Summit Leadership Foundation.
• Chris O’Connor, of Jonesborough, is a key account manager at ConAgra Foods.
• Frank Proffitt of Rogersville, is senior vice president and commercial lender at Civis Bank.
• Tom Terry, of Johnson City, is retired from working in the financial and computer technology industry.