Bill Gothard Family and IBLP Religion
Andrew Mccoy
Published Apr 18, 2026
Bill Gothard family lived by a religious code in Hinsdale, Illinois. Bill father Bill Sr. was a Christian minister, whereas his mother Carmen was a homemaker.
Gothard was born as the third child of his parents. He grew up with three sisters and two brothers, named Ann, Joan, Laura, David, and Steve.
Father William Whitmore Gothard Sr
William Whitmore Gothard Sr, also called Bill Sr, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 17, 1905. Born as the son of Luella and Arthur Gothard, he passed away in La Grange, Illinois, at the age of 88 on March 17, 1994.
Bill Sr. was a religious preacher for multiple Christian ministries. He was appointed as the Executive Director and Editor by Gideon International when Bill was a teenager. People familiar with Gothard Sr described him to be a hard worker who often worked from 8 am to 11 pm.
Mother Carmen Christina Torres Gothard
Carmen Gothard was born in Illinois on November 15, 1908, as the daughter of Edward Torres and Lena Benson.
She got married to Gothard Sr at the age of 21 on May 14, 1930. Together, the couple welcomed six children: three sons and three daughters.
Carmen lived in La Grange for a decade and in Brookfield for about five years. She eventually passed away at the age of 91 on January 19, 2000.
Bill Gothard Siblings
Gothard has two surviving siblings Laura Gothard and David Gothard; he has lost two sisters and a brother.
Bill's older sisters were Anne Jeanette Gothard and Laura Gothard. Likewise, his younger siblings were David Gothard, Joan Christine Gothard, and Stephen Edward Gothard.
Anne Jeanette Gothard
Born: March 30, 1932 (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Died: June 20, 2021 (Aged 89)
Husband: John Philip Garvin (Deceased)
Children: Carol D'Argento, John Garvin
Laura Gothard
Born: 1934 (Aged 89)
Husband: James L Heiniger (Deceased)
Children: Laura Fredrickson, Jim Heiniger, Steve Heiniger, Jonathan Heiniger, Joeol Heiniger
David Locke Gothard
Born: 1938 (Aged 85)
Joan Christine Gothard
Born: April 4, 1942 (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Died: November 5, 2013 (Aged 71)
Husband: Ken Musil
Children: Ken Musil Jr, Debbie Brigham, Laurie Smith, Kathie Macdonald
Stephen Edward Gothard
Born: January 17, 1946 (La Grange, Illinois)
Died: December 1, 2019 (Aged 73)
Wife: Sandra Gothard
Children: Christina Lawrence, Stephen Gothard Jr.