Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps died late Wednesday night at the age of 84, according WIBW in Topeka.
The confirmation came courtesy of Phelps’ son Timothy. But oddly another son, who has been estranged from the elder Phelps for 30 years, told the WIBW reporter this morning that his father was “doing just fine.”
The latest report comes after news earlier this week that Phelps was in hospice care.
Fred Phelps made a name for himself and his church with the mantra “God Hates Fags” and by picketing Matthew Shepard’s funeral. The church went on to picket numerous other gay people’s funerals as well as the funerals of American soldiers and others in a bid for attention. They were in Atlanta for last year’s NCAA Final Four, and have picketed several events in town over the years.
He reportedly was excommunicated by the WBC last August.
psaunders@thegavoice.com | @patricksaunders