Wilson, Edwin Maynard (1901-1981)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

EDWIN MAYNARD WILSON: born in West Norwood on 4th May 1901. As a schoolboy he sold programmes at Crystal Palace football ground and became an enthusiastic and lifelong supporter of the ‘Palace’ and in later life a football referee. As a young man, he was deeply impressed by the life style of the local minister and so came to enter Hartley College in 1923 to train for the ministry of the Primitive Methodist Church. There, with a great sense of privilege, he came under the influence of Dr. A. S. Peake. He also developed a love of books and for fifty years was a regular visitor to Dr. Williams’ Library, as well as becoming a popular reciter of Dickens. 

On leaving college he entered the circuit ministry where his natural gifts developed and found their fulfilment. He served in the following circuits: Penge and Bromley, Luton, Luton (Hightown), Loughborough, Darlaston (Pinfold Street), London (Forest Gate), London (Ilford) and Shooters Hill. After his ordination in 1930 he married Laura, and there followed over fifty years of great partnership and support without which his ministry could never have been so effective. 

As a circuit minister, Maynard was outstanding. He had amazing energy which never flagged. With his disarmingly relaxed manner he made everyone feel at ease. He had a remarkable memory for faces and names and he cared deeply for people. He had a delightful sense of humour which shone out from his twinkling eyes and carried him through many difficult situations. He never took himself too seriously. He was fully committed to Christ his master. His preaching was fascinatingly topical, he was an encourager who always gave people ‘something to take away’. 

These gifts, and his administrative ability made him an outstanding Synod Secretary of the London South East District for seventeen years. He was also a regular contributor to the Methodist Recorder for twenty years. His last thirty-four years were spent living in the Shooters Hill Circuit where he was superintendent for twenty years, and he was active to the day he died. He became probably the best known, best loved and most respected person in the area. His involvement in local church and community affairs was considerable as he touched life at all points with enthusiasm and humanity. His influence for good was immeasurable. 

He died on 30th November 1981 in the eighty-first year of his age and the fifty-sixth year of his ministry.

Family

Edwin was born on 4 May 1901 at West Norwood, Surrey, to parents Edwin Wilson, a boot repairer (1911), and Annie Russell.

He married Laura Emily Louisa Atkin (1900-1988) in the spring of 1930 in the Camberwell Registration District, London. Birth records identify one child.

• Philip M (b1932)

Edwin died on 30 November 1981 at Welling, Kent.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1926 Penge &c
• 1930 Luton I
• 1933 Luton Hightown
• 1934 Loughborough
• 1937 Darlaston Pinfold
• 1942 London Forest G
• 1946 London Ilford
• 1948 Shooter’s Hill
• 1968 Shooter’s Hill (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1982/89

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers