WILLIS, William John T., Rev (1896-1950)
Assembly memorial minute, 1950
John Willis was born in London on the 3rd September, 1896. His early education was gained at the Wesleyan School at Highbury, and later at Belmont Higher Grade School in West Green, London. His parents were, from their youth, both ardent workers in slum areas of London. Later they were associated in active Christian work with the Baptist Church in North London, in which congregation Mr. Willis, at an early age, became a member. This congregation wholly supported a mission in a depressed area, wherein Mr. Willis became a Sunday School Teacher. He also took part in regular district visitation, open air preaching and services for patients of the Highgate Infirmary.
For a few years he was junior assistant to a West London architect. During this time he gained diplomas in architectural subjects from the Polytechnic, Regent Street, London; also an Art Scholarship from a London County Council. From June 1916 to 1919 he served with the British Expeditionary Force in France. During the War years, his thoughts turned towards Foreign Missions. In 1920 he entered the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow and studied under Principal the Rev. Dr. D. McIntyre. Upon completion of these two years’ courses, he went, in company with his future wife— a trained nurse—to the Southern Morocco Mission, an interdenominational mission with headquarters in Glasgow. After five years, the ill-health of Mrs. Willis necessitated his resignation. Returning to England he became a member of the Marylebone Presbyterian Church of England. From this congregation he came to Australia in 1928.
He was two years in the Home Mission station at Nyah West, and entered the Theological Hall in 1930. During this course he was at Warburton, where for excellent service the Presbytery of Melbourne North especially congratulated him. His course at the Theological Hall was good. He gained four honours in his second year, two in his final. He was awarded Robertson (non-residential) scholarship and the Spalding Prize at the completion of his studies.
He completed exit in 1932 and was appointed to the Hagley-Longford Charge in Tasmania. He was ordained in Launceston on the 6th June, 1933, and inducted at Hagley in November of that year. He returned to Victoria when he was translated to Yarram in 1936. In 1941 he was translated to Sorrento and in 1945 to Allansford.
Preaching by Mr. Willis was always marked by sound scholarship. He was a painstaking and faithful pastor, greatly loved and respected by his people.
He died, after a long illness, on the 22nd April, 1950.
To Mrs. Willis and her daughter, Enid, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male