DesAutels, William W.
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DesAutels, William W.
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Albion D.S. William DesAutels dies
BATTLE CREEK (MCA)-The Rev.
W illiam W. DesAutels, Albion District
Superintendent for the West Michigan Annual Conference of the United Methodist
Church since 1981 died at Lyla Hospital
here ea rl y Wednesday morning,
December 17, 1986. A memori al funeral
service will be held at First United
Methodist Church, 227 Fulton Street, E.
Grand Rapids, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday,
December 20.
Rev. DesAutels had recently undergone
surgery for a recurrence of cancer. He had
surgery and therapy earlier this year also.
Rev. DesAutels, 5gyears old, was born
and raised in Kalamazoo. He graduated
from Kalamazoo College in 1950, and was
· a short-term missionary to Japan from
1950 to 1953. He met his wife, Irene,
th ere, where she was also in the shortterm missionary program. He was a
graduate of Garrett Theological Seminary
(G.E.T.S. now).
Bill has previously served the West
Michigan Conference at Galien UMC
(1954-58), Lansing Central UMC as
associate minister, (1958-61), St. Louis
UMC (1961-1967), Traverse City Central
UMC (1967-1974), and Grand Rapids First
UMC (1974-1981) prior to becoming Albion District Superintendent.
He is survived by his wife Irene , two
children and four grandchild ren . His so n
David DesAutels and his wife Peggy live
in St. Louis with grandchildren Travis and
Lane. His daughter Kathy Way and her
husband AI live in Lansing with grandchildren Evan and Caitlin.
Rev. DesAutels has been involved in a
number of church and civic organizations.
Rev. William W. DesAutels
He was a member of the Michigan Christian Advocate board of trustees.
A complete memorial coverage and
obituary will be in the next issue . Memorial
contributions can be made to the Lake
Louise Camp through the West Michigan
Conference treasurer, or to the American
Cancer Society.
FUNERAL
NOTICE
~t Michigan Conference
The United Methodist Church
11 Fuller Avenue Southeast
Post Office Box 624 7
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506
Telephone (616) 459-4503
Dr. William DesAutels, Superintendent of the Albion
District passed away suddenly the morning of December
17, 1986.
His Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, December
20 at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church,
227 E. Fulton Street in Grand Ra2ids. There will be no
visitation as be will be cremated.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. William DesAutels (Irene)
at 334 \olatkins Lane, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017.
Memorial contributions can be made to Lake Louise Camp,
through the Conference Treasurer's Office or to the
Cancer Society through normal channels.
Bishop Judith Craig
JC:as
December 17, 1986
United Methodists
The\\brld Is Our Pdrish
Words become flesh
LrKE n;any of you,
I am distressed by the death of
A.Jbion District Superintendent William DesAutels
:see page 11). The fact that his death comes so near
~ hris t mas seems to make it even more harsh.
But the words applied to Saint Nicholas above were
made flesh by Bill's life, ... " he also shared the gifts
Jf joy and hope with those around him ." Other
words from other people will be shared eloquently
n the next few days, especially at his memorial service December 20. For instance, his secretary, Doris
Brink, noted, ' 'He saw himself as a healer. He
xought calm and healing to many situations, and
was always willing to listen and hear people out.''
Each of us experiences others in our own unique
way . Both as a District Superintendent and as an Ad•Jocate Board member, I have experienced Bill as a
sen tle man , filled with compassion, who still could
1sk the questions and deal with the hard situations
in a way that was supportive and helpful, yet able
to produce needed action.
But as a human being who exemplifies the good
words of the Christian faith fleshed out, Bill has been
known by many of you in a deeper, personal way.
I experienced some of this during the past summer.
The support group he and Irene have been part of
for many years know the depth of that personhood.
It was reflected in the way he dealt with the reality
of cancer and serious illness , when he said , "I have
tried to live my faith, and I will continue to live with
faith.''
This editorial is not meant to canonize a new sain t .
It is meant to reflect that Christmas is about the Word
becoming flesh. And we celebrate Christmas
whenever the words of faith , hop e and love tak e on
human, fleshly form.
DesAutels, William W.