PATON, William Frederick, Rev, M.A. B.D. Litt.D., Dr (1904-1970)
Assembly memorial minute 1971
Born Nagambie 5/3/1904.
Died 24/10/1970.
Ordained December 1932 at New Town, Hobart, for Foreign Mission work in New Hebrides. (Ambrym). Retired through ill health.
Other Charges: North Launceston 10/1/49 Res. 31/12/50.
(After further illness worked at Swansea Tas. Nov. 1952 - Jan. 1955)
Woodend, 1/2/55.
Mia Mia, 12/1/55. Res. 31/3/65.
Eltham, 23/2/67. Res. 31/12/68.
The Rev. Dr. W.F. Paton, after graduating from the University of Melbourne and the Theological Hall, took up his exit appointment at New Town, Tasmania where he exercised an active ministry, organizing the first youth camps in Tasmania. From New Town he went to the New Hebrides to become the loved pastor and leader of the people of Ambryn where he served for 15 years, retiring because of ill-health. His work as a missionary was outstanding and his leadership was recognised in his being chosen the first Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of the New Hebrides. At Ambryn he was especially interested in the life and the language of the people there and began the work of translation which has been carried on since.
On returning to Australia he became minister of North Launceston in January 1949 and ministered also at Swansea, Woodend, Mia Mia and Eltham from which charge he retired at the end of 1968. During his retirement he exercised short ministries at Bendigo, Sale, Balwyn and St. Arnaud and assisted the minister of Box Hill.
The Assembly gives thanks to God for the life, witness and ministry of the Rev. Dr. W.F. Paton. The Assembly would in particular give thanks for his missionary zeal, the leadership he gave to the Church in the New Hebrides, his warm humanity, his vital evangelical faith, his brotherliness and scholarship, and his transparent sincerity which made him so effective a minister.
Gender
- Male