Reverend Wilfred Grenfell Sawyier, PhD (Bill)

Reverend  Wilfred Grenfell Sawyier,  PhD (Bill), age 93, died on July 5, 2018 after an extended illness.  Bill is survived by his children, Edward, Paul and Marion; and two grandchildren, Alice and Walter Sawyier.  He is also survived by his wife of 41 years, Marlene and stepchildren, Jeff Hill and Amanda Barnhart and their families; his sister, Patricia Eldridge of Hudson, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Calvin and Robert.

He was born on May 5, 1925 to Rev. Robert Lee Sawyier and Nellie Fisher Sawyier in Chicago.  There, in Evanston, IL, he attended Frances W. Parker School.  He then attended McCormick Theological Seminary where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity and in 1949, a Master of Divinity.  He was in training to become a US Navy Chaplain when World War II ended.  In 1964, he earned a PhD from Michigan State University.  He was a counselor at Ohio State University and was Pastor of several Presbyterian churches in Illinois and Michigan.  In 1965 he moved to Albuquerque to be co-pastor at First Presbyterian Church.  He later taught academic classes at Albuquerque TVI (now CNM) for 28 years, retiring at age 70.  He served as interim pastor at many Presbyterian churches throughout New Mexico, until age 90.  Bill was a Charter member of the Board of Encino Houses (low income HUD housing for seniors).  He was a member for 30 years of the Sandia Civitain Club.  Years ago he sang in Southwest Light Opera.  He was a passionate sports fan.  He traveled to all seven continents, extensively to many countries and climbed Mount Kilamanjaro.

A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 215 Locust St NE, Albuquerque, NM  87112.  A private burial will be held at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

All those attending Bill’s service are invited to have lunch at the church following the service.  Please visit our online guestbook for Bill at www.frenchfunerals.com.

FRENCH - Lomas

10500 Lomas Blvd. NE

(505) 275-3500

www.frenchfunerals.com