"Canon Bill," as he is affectionately called, was born in New Bedford, Mass. His life has been spent in the service of others and to reaching out to those in other faiths. At the same time, he has still found the time to participate in a wide array of activities. After high school in 1947 he enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed in San Diego where he became acquainted with St. Paul's. Assigned to Destroyer duty, "Sailor Bill" shipped out for overseas action including the 7th Fleet Occupation of Japan, the Communist “take over” of China and the Korean War. Upon separation in 1951 he received a BA and MA from Wheaton College and completed theological studies at Seabury Western Seminary in 1958. His first assignment as deacon and then priest was Christ Church in Winnetka, Illinois. For the next ten years he enjoyed the "good life" in Winnetka, serving as curate and then Assistant Rector. During the height of the controversial Vietnam War, Bill re! joined the Navy as a chaplain and completed his Naval career in 1985. Already acquainted with the Diocese, Bishop Wolterstorff graciously opened the way to making his spiritual home in San Diego. Presently, Canon Bill serves with Bishop Hughes' blessing in Jerusalem.

Some of the interesting capacities in which he has served are:

The Bishop's Council for the Church in Israel 1964-1966 Archaeological Research Grant from Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem 1964-66 Staff member of Excavations at Ashkelon, Gezer, Arad and Nazareth Bishop Kafity's Chaplain in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the M.E. Chaplain and Lecturer at St. George's Cathedral and College, Jerusalem First President, Jerusalem Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity 1993-95 Honorary Vice President of ETRF Lecturer & Board Member, University of the Holy Land Honorary Canon, St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego, California Board Member, Pacific Academy of Ecclesiastical Music, San Diego

His awards and achievements are the stuff of which legends are made and include Equal Opportunity Officer's Award, San Francisco, California; the Presidential Meritorious Award; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device; and Coast Guard Commendation Medal. He has written several Theses on "The Divine Principle of Corporate Unity in the Ecclesia Theou" and "The Jewish/Christian/Muslim Trialogue". His Book on Two Thousand Years of Christian Fascination with the Holy Land entitled Land of Sorrow, Land of Joy is ready for publication. Bill's archeological adventures, including marine archeology, have made their way into the National Geographic Magazine, among other publications.

All this makes Canon Bill sound dry and studious. Studious he is, but he is also a man of great wit and a bon vivant, whose charm is infectious. Those who have relished his legendary hospitality can confirm that.

Serving PACEM for the past two years, Canon Bill comments, "If Theology is for many of us the Queen of Studies; Ecclesiastical Music is the handmaid of truly great Theology. It embellishes with aesthetic richness the Word of God and enhances with universal appreciation the Liturgy of the Church. Music is the vehicle that God as the Ultimate Maestro employs to allow the human spirit to soar on the wings of song joining with the Angel Chorus in singing "Glory to God in the highest and Peace to those who love to do God's Will." The PACEM Experience is for me a means to live Theologically with a song of Praise in my heart.