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Minutes of the General Assembly 2012
In 1996, Wilf suffered a serious stroke, and though he was aware that “he was not the
man he used to be” (his own words), he never complained, kept his sense of humour,
and willingly participated as fully as he was able to in church, community and family
life.
Since much of his leisure in earlier years revolved around boats and water, he kept a
watchful eye from his upstairs veranda on the ships entering and leaving the Port of
Tauranga.
Wilf died peacefully in Tauranga Hospital on 20 October 2010 at age 90 years.
We give humble thanks to God for the rich and touching ministry of Wilfrid Charles
Downard, and extend our sympathy and love to his wife, Phyllis, and to his children and
grandchildren, and commend them to the love and grace of God whom we know
through Jesus Christ.
Earle, Reverend William Thomas (Bill)
20 September 1922 – 5 November 2011
Bill Earle, student, war veteran, science teacher, weather forecaster, minister, unionist,
peacemaker, leader, kaumatua, a man who was quietly there, thinking, participating,
encouraging, a wise man.
Bill was born in the far north, in Kawakawa, on 20 September 1922. His father was a
school teacher. The family then moved to Ohinewai in the Waikato. Bill attended
Whitiora Primary School and Hamilton High School (now Hamilton Girls College). He
later went to Auckland University and gained a BSc with honours in Maths and Physics.
World War II interrupted his university education. He saw overseas service in the
Middle East and Italy. Because he could type, he served in administration roles. He
also served as a member of the J Force. Visits to Nagasaki and Hiroshima had a
profound effect on Bill.
When Bill returned from the war, he was able to complete his degree. He attended
Teachers Training College and, after graduating, became a science and maths teacher
at Wanganui Collegiate. He then became a meteorologist and worked in Paraparaumu
and Wigram.
Bill met his wife, Dorothea, at the Beresford Street Congregational Church in Auckland.
They were married in 1957 and were to become a rather formidable couple; a pair to
be reckoned with. They then moved to Christchurch.
Bill received his call to serve Christ, and the family moved to Auckland, where he
commenced theological studies at the Congregational College and completed the first
three years of his degree. It was while studying here that Bill met many folk from the
Pacific Islands and developed a warm relationship with them. They were always
welcome in the Earle household.
He was ordained in 1964 and was received by Assembly with other Congregational
ministers in 1968.
The family then moved to Dunedin where Bill became a part-time minister in two
churches, one a conservative Congregational church and the other a charismatic
church. It was at Knox College that Bill completed his degree.
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