Savage, Walter (1902-1972)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

WALTER SAVAGE: born in Barrow-in-Furness in 1902. He began his working life as an apprentice electrician, but the call of God to preach the Gospel soon led him to Masham in Yorkshire to serve as a hired local preacher. His candidature for the Primitive Methodist ministry followed closely on this, and after training at Hartley College, Manchester ,he entered the ministry in 1927. During his years as a probationer at Hull, he met Kathleen, his future wife. They were married in 1931 and together built up a home and family life that was a source of strength and witness throughout his ministry. 

Enjoying good health he was able to offer to God a ministry which was energetic, effective and efficient. He travelled mainly in circuits in the North of England feeling that this was his call. In 1931 he went to Goole for four years and thereafter served in the Isle of Man, Leeds (Armley), Earlstown, Lancaster (Moor Lane), Ashton-under-Lyne (Stamford St.) and Sheffield (Norfolk St.). 

He was a lover of music and had a powerful tenor voice. He was greatly appreciated as a soloist and this added to his ministry as a true pastor to his people. His warm, friendly approach and his wide range of interests enabled him to get alongside people inside and outside the Church. His preaching was effective and challenging, based on a living and personal experience of Jesus. His sermons were well prepared, he enjoyed reading and never neglected his study. 

In 1967 he retired to Long Preston in the Skipton Circuit where he was an active supernumerary, involved in preaching most Sundays. After a short illness, he died in Airedale General Hospital on Tuesday, 29th August 1972 in the seventieth year of his age and the forty-fifth of his ministry.

Family

Walter was born on 31 May 1902 at Barrow in Furness, Lancashire, to parents John Savage, a loco fireman (1911), and Harriet Parkes.

He married Kathleen Martha Hartley (1901-1992) in the spring of 1931 at Hull, Yorkshire. Birth records identify three children

• Jean (b1932) – married Derek Gaskell in 1962
• Raymond Allan (b1936)
• Keith Hartley (b1937)

Walter died on 29 August 1972 at Skipton, Yorkshire..

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1927 Hull II
• 1931 Goole
• 1935 Douglas
• 1939 Leeds Armley
• 1945 Earlstown
• 1950 Lancaster Moor
• 1956 Ashton Stamford St
• 1957 Ashton under Lyne
• 1963 Sheffield Norf
• 1967 Skipton (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1973/154

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers