Bill Down

Bill Down
Assistant Bishop of Leicester
DioceseDiocese of Leicester
In office1995–2001
PredecessorGodfrey Ashby
SuccessorJohn Austin
Other postsBishop of Bermuda (1990–1995)
Honorary assistant bishop in Oxford (2001–2021)
Orders
Ordination1959 (deacon); 1960 (priest)
Consecration1990
Personal details
Born15 July 1934
Surrey, United Kingdom
Died4 February 2025 (aged 90)
Oxford, United Kingdom
DenominationAnglican
ParentsWilliam & Beryl Down
SpouseSylvia Aves (m. 1960)
Children2 sons; 2 daughters
ProfessionMissionary; writer
EducationSt John's College, Cambridge

William John Denbigh Down (15 July 1934 – 4 February 2025) was a British cleric who was the ninth Bishop of Bermuda and later the Assistant Bishop of Leicester.

Biography

Educated at St John's College, Cambridge, Down was ordained in 1960. His first post was as a curate at St Paul's Church, Salisbury, after which he was secretary to the Missions to Seaman, chaplain of St Michael Paternoster Royal, and honorary chaplain to the Carmen's Company until his ordination to the episcopate in 1990. He returned to England as the Assistant Bishop of Leicester in 1995 before retiring in 2001. He was ultimately honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Oxford, where he settled at Witney.

Down died on 4 February 2025, at the age of 90.

References

  1. ↑ Crockford's clerical directory, 1995, Lambeth, Church House ISBN 0-7151-8088-6)
  2. ↑ "Luncheon: Carmen's Company". The Times. London. 31 January 1990. p. 18.
  3. ↑ "Down, Rt Rev. William John Denbigh", Who's Who 2012, A & C Black, 2012; online edition, Oxford University Press, December 2011 , accessed 22 July 2012
  4. ↑ "New Bishop of Bermuda". The Times. London. 20 October 1989. p. 16.
  5. ↑ "Church news". The Times. London. 25 August 1995. p. 18.
  6. ↑ Oremus
  7. ↑ "Down, William John Denbigh". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 30 April 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  8. ↑ "Church Times: "Deaths", 14 February 2025".