Rev. Bill Newby

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

The Rev. William R. “Bill” Newby, 66, of Joplin, Missouri, an Episcopal Priest, departed this life into Glory on Tuesday afternoon, October 18, 2016, in the comfort of his home, after years of failing health.

Fr. Bill entered this life on September 29, 1950, in Moberly, Missouri, born to the union of the late Dr. William Russell and Janice (Brookhart) Newby. He was raised in Moberly and was a 1968 graduate of Moberly High School. He earned a B.A. in Psychology and Theatre from Central Methodist College, Fayette, Missouri, in 1972. During his years at Central Methodist, he studied with Marcel Marceau and organized a college mime group that performed around the country. After college, he directed the Deaf Education Program at Woodhaven Learning Center, where he met his wife, Deborah. During his time at Woodhaven, he also earned his M. Ed. in Counseling Psychology, graduating from the University of Missouri in 1975. He earned his M. Div. in Pastoral Counseling and Liturgics from Nashotah House, Delafield, Wisconsin, in 1983. Churches he pastored included St. James, Shreveport, Louisiana, St. John’s by the Park, Neosho, Missouri, and St. Michael’s and All Angels, South Bend, Indiana. He also served as the Associate Pastor at St. Philip’s Church, Joplin, Missouri, and at St. Stephen the Martyr in Fort Worth, Texas. For the first years of his ministry, he was the Curate at St. James in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During that time, he was the Canon Missioner to the Deaf. Fr. Bill and Deborah were married on August 9, 1975, at Calvary Church in Columbia, Missouri, and spent their lives serving God.

His parents, his father-in-law, Charles F. Million, and one brother, Kirk Newby, preceded him in death.

Fr. Bill is survived by his wife of forty-one years, Deborah Newby; two daughters, Amy Wagner and husband, Allen, of Bellevue, Nebraska, and April Dickinson and husband, Daniel, of Joplin, Missouri; five grandchildren, Caleb Wagner, Noah Dickinson, Samantha Wagner, Isaac Dickinson and Abigaile Dickinson; his mother in-law, Suzanne Million of Belleville, Kansas; as well as Deborah’s sisters Kathy Miller and Eileen Benson, brother-in-law, Blaine Miller, and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services for Fr. Bill are 2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2016, at the Joplin Family Worship Center with Pastor Daniel Wermuth officiating. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Daniel Dickinson, Caleb Wagner, Noah Dickinson, Isaac Dickinson, Blaine Miller, and Logan Miller. A Rosary is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri, led by Joe Dumas, with visitation following from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorials are being directed to Joplin Family Worship Center and contributions may be left at the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.