Williams, John (1873-1944)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

JOHN WILLIAMS (c): born at West Cornforth, co. Durham, in 1873. He entered the work of the Primitive Methodist Church in 1896 and laboured effectively in the North of England throughout his ministry. His faithfulness was paramount and his service was discharged with diligence, loyalty, and originality. For twenty-seven years he laboured among his own folk in the county of Durham. He became a supernumerary in 1939, but maintained his activity to the end of his life. 

He was always on duty in the work he loved. His quiet, courteous manner disguised an inflexible determination which was content with nothing less than the best for his Lord. He was one to whom folk of all ages could turn and find a friendly and understanding soul. He was an encourager of youth, a wise counsellor, and a tender comforter. 

He was called to the full reward of service in July 1944, in his seventy-first year, having been forty-eight years in the Ministry.

Family

John was born on 16 March 1873 at West Cornforth, Co. Durham.

He married Elizabeth Jane Booth (1877-1939) in the summer of 1900 in the Sedgefield Registration District, Co. Durham. Census returns identify two children.

• John Kenneth Lloyd (1906-1974) – an advertising agent (1939)      
• Elizabeth Mary Allen (1912-1980)

John died in July 1944 at Preston, Lancashire.

Circuits

• 1896 Thornley
• 1901 Durham
• 1907 Allendale
• 1913 Houghton le Spring
• 1923 Ossett
• 1928 Crewe II
• 1933 Kendal
• 1939 Preston (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1944/146

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers