William H. Phelps

William H. Phelps

28 November 1872 - 23 June 1939


William H. Phelps

He was not a member of our Conference; but no man in the Detroit Conference was more completely one of us, than was he. Every week for nineteen years he came into our homes and sat at our firesides and chatted with us through the columns of our Advocate and brought cheer and comfort as well as smiles and inspiration. We loved him, and he loved us. As true a friend as we ever had, was he. As clean, as honest, as faithful, as helpful, as Christlike a counsellor as we ever knew, was he.

William H. Phelps was born in Kalamazoo, Nov. 28, 1872 and died in his home at Royal Oak, Michigan, June 23, 1939. He attended the public schools of Kalamazoo from the high school of which he was graduated. He then completed a college course at Albion receiving his bachelors degree from that institution. He received his Masters degree from Northwestern University. He then attended Boston University School of Theology. In later years he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Albion College.

He was married to Miss Mabel E. Smith, June 2, 1896. In 1894 he united with the Michigan Conference and was ordained an elder in 1899. His pastorates were Martin, Coleman, Lansing Central, Epworth, Grand Rapids, Manistee, Three Rivers, and Battle Creek First. For six years he served most faithfully and successfully the Lansing District as Superintendent. The men who served under his administration loved him and still speak of his brotherly and Christlike spirit. The laymen also loved him.

In 1920 he was elected editor of the Michigan Christian Advocate, which post he filled with marked distinction until just a few weeks before his death, when on account of ill health he resigned and was immediately elected editor emeritus. The keenness of his mind, the kindness of his spirit, and the breeziness of his writing style, commanded attention everywhere. His sense of humor and his progressive thought made his editorials always most interesting and eagerly read. He loved his church and abhorred sin and sham of every kind. He gave his best to the church and to the Christian Faith. Michigan Methodism is a far stronger and better Methodism than it could be without his rich contributions of character and life. The whole church has been blessed by his splendid ministry. His pen and his wise counsel has helped more than any of us can well express, to keep our feet in the pathway that leads to the Kingdom of God both here and beyond.

His wife, Mabel, and his daughter, Mrs. Margaret Canright, of Minnesota, and his sister, Miss Lillie Phelps, of Bay View, Michigan, are left with the consciousness of their great loss in his going, but with the realization of their wealth is what he has left to them of comfort, of hope, of courage and Christian living. He was God's man. He was faithful and triumphant to the very end. Heaven is very near to his family and to his friends because he is there.

HOWARD A. FIELD

- Detroit Annual Conference minutes of 1939, pp. 150-151

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