William Grant

William Harold Grant, 78, died suddenly Sunday June 5th at St. Vincents Birmingham. He was born in Phenix City AL, April 1st 1933. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Hughie and Pokie Pittman Grant and his two infant brothers. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sylvia Moon Grant, their four children, Craig, Gardendale, Laura Jones (Martin), Chipley FL, Jenny, Gardendale, and Harold, Birmingham. In addition, left to grieve him are six grandchildren, Jason Grant, Marianna FL, Angela and Stephen Grant, Fayetteville GA, Blane, Darby, and Keely Jones, Chipley FL. Ann C Grant, mother of Angela and Stephen, Fayetteville GA. Harold graduated from Central High in Phenix City 1951. He graduated from Auburn University in 1957 with honor as a psychology major. In 1964 he received his doctorate in psychology and education from Columbia University in NYC. He received post-doctorate work in 1965 from Stanford University. In 1970 he received honorary doctor of humanities degree from Mt. Angel College in Oregon. In 1994 he was ordained a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Mobile after four years of study. He was employed 1952-56 by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspapers as a printer. At Auburn University he taught as a graduate assistant in psychology 1957-58. He was assistant dean of students 1958-60. In 1963-66 he was director of counseling and Associate Professor of Counselor Education. He was Director of Student Development Services and Professor of Counselor Education 1969-74. He served as Special Assistant to the President 1974-79. His final position held at Auburn was Dean of Students and Professor of Counselor Education 1979-81. At Cornell University 1961-63, he was Assistant Dean of Students and Associate Professor of Counseling. While at Michigan State, he was Professor of Administration, Counseling and Educational Psychology 1966-69. He was Director of two NDEA Institutes in 1967-69 for college counselors and administrators while at MSU. After retiring from Auburn, he directed the Missionary Cenacle Lay Volunteers 1982-1995 placing missionaries around the US, Puerto Rico and Mexico. From 1984-1996, he taught at Notre Dame University in the Retreats International Summer Program. After being ordained a deacon in 1994, he served in the parish of St Michaels (Auburn) 1995 and in the St. Columba Church (Dothan) as Director of Family Life Ministries 1996-2004. Harold was featured in the Chicago Tribune magazine in 1968 as one of the ten most exciting professors in the Big Ten Universities. From 1972-78 he served as Mayor of Waverly AL where he and his family lived for 27 years. He was President, American College Personnel Association in 1974-75. In 1988, Harold was selected by then Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb to be a Knight of St. Gregory. Harold gave many religious retreats through the years working primarily with the Benedictons, the Sisters of Mercy and the Missionary Cenacle Family. He wrote several books and articles including Theories of Counseling and From Image to Likeness - A Jungian Path in the Gospel Journey with Thomas E. Clarke, ST. and Magdala Thompson RSM. Harold was an expert with the Myers-Briggs Personality-Type Indicator. He was fortunate enough to have been friends with Mrs Isabel Meyers who instructed him in all the facets of the instrument. In a book about Mrs. Meyer and her mother, Katherine Briggs. who co-developed the instrument, Harold was said to have been a pioneer for having been the first person in the nation to test all incoming freshmen using the Meyers-Briggs. He did this at Auburn. Harold was a man of great faith and insight into Christian spirituality. One of Harold's favorite quotes was one Carl Jung, the Christian psychologist in Zurich, Switzerland, had hanging above his office door written in Latin, when translated reads, "Whether called or not, God comes." A gathering of friends will be Sunday, June 12, 2011 from 2-5 PM with a Celebration of Life service at 4:00 PM, at Gardendale Funeral Home, 2214 Gardendale Funeral Home, Gardendale, AL 35071. For those friends wishing to make a donation to charity in Harold's name in lieu of flowers, the family requests your donation be made to Blessed Trinity Retreat, 107 Holy Trinity Road, Fort Mitchell, AL 36856.

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William Grant

April 1, 1933 - June 5, 2011