Rite of Rememberance

William A. Sawyers (1927-2020)

Today we celebrated a Rite of Rememberance for the life of Bill Sawyers and commended him to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer, and to comfort one another in our grief.

William A. “Bill” Sawyers, belvoed husband, father, and educator passed away on March 27, 2020, at the age of 92.

Bill was born in 1927 in the Panama Canal Zone, the son of William and Grace Sawyers, where his father seved as principal of the American High School. Bill and his family later settled in at Patchogue, New York. He joined the U.S. Army toward the end of WWII, and was assigned to the 2nd Division, a newly formed unit of mountain warfare ski troops.

Bill attended Bates College where he met the love of his life, Shirley Pease. They graduated together in 1949 and married in 1950. With a BS in biology and a minor in chemistry, Bill began his career as a teacher in Baldwin, New York, where he remained committed to his students until retiring in 1986.

Bill was a lifetime learner, completing a MS in BIO Science from Columbia in 1950, and a Doctorate in Animal Behavior from Penn Sate in 1966.

All of his studies were focused on one purpose – to foster unique educational opportunities for his students. Bill created an award-winning Science Research Skills course that fostered a generation of doctors, scientists, veterinarians, researchers, and professionals across all walks of life. In recognition for his many contributions to his students, Bill was selected as “Teacher of the Year” in New York State in 1982, and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Adelphi University.

Retiring in Lakeland in 1986, Bill remained active in the community playing drums in the Lakeland Concert Band and as a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He also enjoyed many years living across the backyard from his brother Jim Sawyers and his lively wife Carol.

Bill is survived by his sons Jim Sawyers and Alan Sawyers, daughter Wendy Romano, along with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He now joins Shirley, his beautiful bride of nearly 65 years, who passed away in 2015. Rest in peace!

Today's complete worship service can be viewed here.  Sunday Morning Worship 05 16 2021