William M. Runyan

21 January 1870–29 July 1957

William Marion Runyan (b. Marion, NY, Jan. 21, 1870; d Pittsburgh, Kan., July 29, 1957), was the son of William White and Hannah (Orcutt) Runyan. In 1884 his Methodist preacher father moved the family to Marion, Kansas. As a youth he studied music and became quite successful as a music teacher while still in his teens. Ordained to the Methodist ministry in 1891, he held various pastorates in Kansas for twelve years. In 1903 he was appointed evangelist for the Central Kansas Methodist Conference. Because of increasing deafness, he resigned his work in Kansas and became associated with John Brown University, Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, as pastor of the Federated Church, editor of the Christian Workers’ Magazine, and songbook compiler and editor, 1923–1925. From 1925 until his retirement in 1948 he made his home in Chicago, where he was associated with Moody Bible Institute, and for several years served in an editorial capacity with the Hope Publishing Company.

by William J. Reynolds
Hymns of Our Faith (1964)

Featured Hymns:

Great is thy faithfulness

Publications of Hymns:

Gertrude R. Dugan’s Gospel Songs, ed. Schuler & Runyan (Gospel Music, 1919): WorldCat

Songs of the Great Salvation, ed. Runyan & Towner (Runyan Music Co., ca. 1920): HathiTrust

Runyan’s Special Numbers, ed. Runyan & Towner (Runyan Music Co., 1920): WorldCat

Runyan’s Special Numbers, No. 2, ed. Runyan & Fisher (n.d.): WorldCat

Runyan’s Music for Men, ed. Runyan (Runyan Music Co., 1922): WorldCat

Songs of Salvation & Service, ed. Runyan (Runyan Music Co., 1923): WorldCat

Victorious Revival Songs, ed. Runyan, Brown, & Fischer (Federation Pub., ca. 1925): WorldCat

Revival Praises, ed. Runyan & McKee (Scripture Press, 1927): WorldCat

Big Four Quartet Book, ed. Runyan (Hope, 1927): Hymnary

Gospel Song Specialties, First Series, ed. Runyan & Schuler (Runyan & Schuler, 1928): WorldCat

Gospel Song Specialties, Second Series, ed. Runyan & Schuler (ca. 1928–1938): WorldCat

Gospel Melodies, Series 1 & 2, ed. Runyan & Schuler (Kettleson Press, ca. 1930): WorldCat

Gospel Song Anthems, No. 1, ed. Runyan & Schuler (Tabernacle, 1931): WorldCat

The Waiting Drummer, ed. Runyan (Revell, 1935): WorldCat

The Service Hymnal, ed. Runyan & Shorney (Hope, 1935): WorldCat

Radio Songs and Choruses of the Gospel, No. 2, ed. Runyan & Loveless (Laurel Press, 1937): WorldCat

The Fairest of Earth, ed. Runyan & Larson (Schmitt, 1943): WorldCat

Church Choir Specialties, ed. Runyan, Schuler, & Cohen (Cohen, n.d.): WorldCat

see also: Moody Bible Institute Monthly: WorldCat

Related Resources:

William J. Reynolds, “William Marion Runyan,” Hymns of Our Faith (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1964), p. 396.

Carlton Young, “William Runyan,” Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology:
http://www.hymnology.co.uk/w/william-m-runyan

“William Runyan,” Hymnary.org:
https://hymnary.org/person/Runyan_WM