The Rev. William E.K. Drury; Minister

The Rev. William Edward Kent Drury, an Assemblies of God minister who conducted services at area convalescent hospitals for several years, has died at a Canoga Park convalescent hospital where he had preached. He was 77.

A longtime West Hills resident, Drury died Sunday of cancer, said his daughter Simone Grant of Van Nuys.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Drury received his religious training at Northwest Bible College in Seattle. He and his wife returned to Canada where they established six Assembly of God churches in British Columbia. Drury came to the United States in 1950 and was pastor of a church in Enumclaw, Wash. In 1968, he moved to the San Fernando Valley, where he was pastor of a nondenominational church in Tarzana. In the mid-1970s, he began teaching adult Sunday school classes at West Valley Christian Center and ministering at various convalescent hospitals in the San Fernando Valley. He continued his religious work until last summer.

In addition to his daughter Simone, Drury is survived by his wife of 51 years, Laurene Drury; daughter Sheila Drury of Irvine, and six grandchildren.

A funeral is planned at 11 a.m. today at West Valley Christian Center, 9121 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth. Pierce Brothers-Praiswater Mortuary in Canoga Park is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Drury’s name to Highlands Child Placement Services, 5506 Cambridge Ave., Kansas City, Mo. 64129.