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The Revd Bill Andrews
5th December 1936 – 26th October 2011
The Revd Tony Cavanagh introduced the Thanksgiving Service for the life of Bill held at Hemel Hempstead Methodist Church on 10th November, by stating that he was “A giant of a man but very humble in heart. He kept the faith with optimistic joy and good humour and showed great courage throughout his ministry and was an enormous encouragement to all who met him.”
Bill was born in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, where his father managed a book shop. The family moved to St Ives in Cornwall when Bill was 8 years old, his sister Wendy was born in St Ives and it was there that Bill started to learn the piano. The family moved again – this time to Plymouth when Bill was a teenager and the very active youth group at his church in Plymouth was instrumental in his call to the ministry (an alternative career might have been as a sports’ commentator). Bill met Christine at this church. He studied History and English Literature at Keele University (where he had the opportunity to dance with Princess Margaret). From Keele he went to Wesley House in Cambridge to study for the ministry and at the conclusion of these studies Bill and Christine married. In August 1961 they moved to Bill’s first ministry in the Bourne Circuit in Lincolnshire and in 1964 they moved to Louth (also in Lincolnshire), where Bill was very active in supporting the Boys’ Brigade. A highlight of Bill and Christine’s ‘team’ ministry was an exchange to South Dakota in the USA. In1971 Bill moved to Bath and looked after a city church – he became President of the Free Church Council and met the Queen. Chris, their eldest son was born in 1976. Bill’s skill as a minister continued to grow (without notes) and he was able to engage with everyone he met. In 1979 the family moved to Cardiff where their second son, Matt was born. In Cardiff Bill served as chaplain at a local psychiatric hospital and as a result of failing sight had to give up driving.
He spent twelve years in the Harrow Circuit from 1987 as minister at Wealdstone Methodist Church with a one fifth responsibility to Trinity. He introduced an annual holiday trip, a toddler group and morning prayers at Wealdstone – most of which continue today.
He retired in 1999 and moved to Hemel Hempstead where he continued to play an active part in church life. Bill enjoyed walking, chess, card and board games, cricket, rugby and football (being a life long fan of Plymouth Argyle). He used to read a great deal and loved old western films and vintage TV comedy, particularly Dad’s Army. He had to re-assess his activities over the past year as he experienced breathing difficulties, but this did not prevent him celebrating both his Golden Wedding anniversary and 50 years in the ministry with a special service at Hemel Methodist Church.
Bill was a man who fully fulfilled his calling as a minister and an ambassador for Christ - his support for Trinity and his interest in our church was over and above the one fifth he was committed to and we shall miss him.
“His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”
Matt.25 v.21.
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