Edgar Wendell Bethany was born on July 17, 1904 in a log cabin in Mississippi. Bethany was saved in 1921. In 1925 he left an accounting job to join an evangelistic team, doing everything from singing, to praying to driving tent stakes. He was ordained with the Assemblies of God in 1927.

Bethany pastored churches in Spartanburg, SC and Columbus, GA. He served the Assemblies of God in many capacities, including executive presbyter.

Brother Bethany helped to establish South-Eastern Bible Institute (now Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida) in 1935 and was one of the school's first faculty members and the school's principal. In his later years he was known around the world as a campmeeting, convention and council preacher.

Edgar and his wife Laurie were the parents of Jan Crouch, co-founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Edgar died of a heart attack on October 16, 1975.