During a brave and inspiring journey since that time, he became a symbol of the power of faith for all of us at the Board of Pensions and for hundreds more who knew and loved him throughout his 62 years as a husband, brother, father, grandfather, and servant of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This morning (June 30), he completed his journey and his spirit is with the saints who preceded him. We all mourn his loss, and each of us, in our own hearts and souls and each in our own ways, will cherish our association with him.
I hesitate to write more when there are so many who have written to us, and I am sure to Bill’s loving wife Patty, to express in beautiful ways their own sense of loss and condolence.
Perhaps, our former Stated Clerk, Clifton Kirkpatrick captured best what we all feel:
“Bill was a very dear friend and a tremendous source of support in my life, as well as being one of the ‘great saints of the Church!’ He was an outstanding pastor, a great leader throughout the church, and a wonderfully sweet man.”
For me, I believe a great tribute to Bill is to remember some of the words he wrote to the Church during our last General Assembly in San Jose, California:
“Pancreatic cancer has assisted me, indeed it has endowed me, with a mandate to re-order my priorities. I don’t “sweat the small stuff’ nearly as much as I used to! Prayer shapes and guides my life more than it did pre-diagnosis, and I take uncommon joy in praying through and for an extensive and growing intercessory prayer list. How often we have been told to pray for others, and yet how often do we find ourselves actually doing that? When I encounter people struggling with any issue at all, I find myself called to pray for them, and I realize that I want to let them know that I am doing so. When I am told by someone that I am being prayed for, it lifts my spirits as nothing else does. The mandate to love our neighbors as ourselves is inextricably linked to a life of daily prayer for others.
“As a pastor, husband, parent, and friend, I have tried to be a note and letter writer over the years, and I find myself writing more notes than ever — letters of encouragement and acknowledgement to those who might need to know that someone is thinking about them and praying for them. I often send notes to those who have encouraged me and opened doors for me over the course of my life journey. (P.S. These notes often result in receiving responses and e-mails that can make the spirit truly soar!)
“Each of us has suffered or will suffer at some time in our lives. The Book of Job was a preview of what can happen to the most faithful and to the least faithful. Yet, the greatest gift we can offer to one another is encouragement — encouragement through spoken or written word, through deeds however small or gracious, through intercessory prayer and through the kindness of recognition: ‘I know this is a difficult time for you and I am holding you in daily prayer.’ God’s gift of life is truly amazing!
“None of us knows how many days we will be granted. As you look into the mirror each and every day, take time to marvel that you have been created in the image of God. Count your blessings often. Smile more and frown less! Tell those you love, how much you love them each and every day. Share yourself abundantly with those who need encouragement, hope, and care. Give thanks that with Christ all things are possible! Keep that twinkle in your eye and help the world learn to laugh.”
Now we pray for Bill’s wife Patty, for their sons, Ross and Phillip, for their daughter Kristy, and for their three wonderful grandchildren.
For those of you who wish to express your feeling to his wife Patty, her address is
Mrs. William R. Forbes
761 First Street
Westfield, N.J. 07090
Have a safe week.
ROBERT W. MAGGS JR. is president and chief executive of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
