Wilson, Albert (1900-1982)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

ALBERT WILSON: born on 29th September 1900 at Blaydon-on-Tyne, Newcastle. He was a man of quiet faith, deep convictions and considerable courage. As a boy he was not strong and had little schooling until he was nine years of age. At fourteen he entered the insurance business in which he planned to make a career. After serving in the First World War he returned to his chosen work and applied himself to his professional studies. Soon he felt a strong call to the ministry of the Primitive Methodist Church. To answer the call was not easy, for at this time of national economic depression he was the only breadwinner in the family, his father and his brothers being out of work. But Albert’s faith was such that he was convinced that if God wished him to enter the ministry it would be made possible.
He offered, commencing his candidate’s studies whilst continuing preparation for his professional qualifications. Before long the family income was assured when his father and brothers found employment and in this Albert saw the hand of God. He trained at Hartley College and in 1927 he was appointed to the Southend-on-Sea Circuit. Subsequently he served in the following circuits: Briston, Aylsham, Briston and Reepham, Gateshead (Whitehall Road), Gateshead (East), Brandon and Deerness Valley, Barnoldswick, Radcliffe, Jarrow, Crook, Whitley Bay and Cullercoats, Houghton-le-Spring, Crewe (Wedgwood), and Crewe. He superannuated in 1966 to Braunton in the Barnstaple Circuit where he continued to preach as long as his health permitted.

Albert Wilson was not a robust man but he gave himself without reserve to the ministry he loved and in which he found joy and fulfilment. He faced his last illness with trust and serenity and to the end was filled with gratitude for the privilege of being a minister in the Methodist Church, for the wide circle of friendships forged in the course of his ministry and for the love and support of Edith his wife and companion for nearly 50 years. He died on 8th April 1982 in the eighty-second year of his age and the fifty-fifth year of his ministry.

Family

Albert was born on 29 September 1900 at Blaydon on Tyne, Co. Durham, to parents Whitfield Wilson, an insurance agent (1901) and grocer shopkeeper (1911), and Mary Stobbs.

He married Edith Muxworthy (1905-1999) in the summer of 1932 at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.

Albert died on 8 April 1982 at Barnstable, Devon.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1927 Southend
• 1931 Briston
• 1934 Gateshead
• 1940 Brandon &c
• 1942 Barnoldswick
• 1945 Radcliffe
• 1948 Jarrow
• 1952 Crook
• 1955 Whitley Bay &c
• 1960 Houghton le Spring
• 1963 Crewe Wedgwood
• 1964 Crewe
• 1966 Barnstable (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1982/88

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers