Reverend Arthur Oliver Sr.

Reverend Arthur Oliver was born on February 24, 1946, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to Ivory Oliver Sr. and Eliza (Gaines) Oliver. He was the second youngest of six children.

Arthur was an active member of his community and a local athlete. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1965 after graduating from Ypsilanti High School. He served in the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal w/l Silver Service Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also earned the National Defense Service Medal and Navy Unit Citation. He later transferred to the US Army and continued to serve until his final discharge in May of 1977 at Fort Hood. He worked in Ammo and later as a Counselor in the Army, discharging as a Specialist 5. He lived in Germany and Okinawa, Japan, during his service and was discharged from Fort Hood, Texas. He would continue his public service with the United States Postal Service until his retirement in 1999.

Arthur answered the call to the ministry in 1981 after his baptism in 1980 at New Lincoln Missionary Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. He studied under the leadership of Reverend A.R. Evans. He later moved back to his hometown of Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he continued to preach the gospel.

Arthur loved to travel, fish, and talk about the goodness of Jesus Christ. He enjoyed time with family and friends.

Awaiting Reverend Oliver’s arrival in Glory are his father and mother, Ivory Oliver Sr. and Eliza Oliver, his sisters, Emma Wilson and Ruth (Ruby) Key, and his brother, Ivory Oliver Jr.  His departure was on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Reverend Oliver's beautiful life and spirit will forever be cherished in the lives of his children, Arthur Oliver Jr., Kevin Oliver, Nikita Oliver, Winnie King, Misty Oliver, Paul Oliver, Manuel Oliver, Martin Oliver, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sisters Rita Marshall and Ethel Jones; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and other relatives covering four generations

Family and friends will gather for the Visitation at New Lincoln Missionary Baptist Church of Austin at 10:00 AM on Friday morning, May 24th. A Home-Going Celebration will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Darron Patterson presiding. Interment will be at Central Texas State Veteran Cemetery at 3:00 PM with Full Military Honors.