MEMBERS of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in the country and the region are mourning the loss of one of their top retired church leaders.
Pr Wilfred Billy who is in his 80s was called on rest on Friday afternoon due to heart failure.
Hailed from north east Guadalcanal late Pr Wilfred had been active in the work of the church for about 40 years.
His passing away has shocked the SDA church who described him as a dedicated man of God.
Late Pr Wilfred was the first local to have worked in the South Pacific Division (SPD) the top level of the SDA church in the pacific based in Australia.
He was a former General Secretary for Stewardship department for about five years.
From there he retired from mission work and return to Solomon Islands in 1995.
His road to the top position had also surprised many because of his education background as a primary school lever.
He had worked as a treasurer, president, lecturer before moving to the regional level.
In his mission life, he worked in the Papua New Guinea Mission before moving to Solomon Islands to work as a President of the Eastern Solomon Islands Mission (ESIM) for going to SPD.
His passing away on Friday shocked many and most of the Church operated schools and office have closed for the day in remembrance of him.
More than five thousand people witnessed his funeral service held on Saturday afternoon at the Marantha Hall, Burns Creek, east Honiara.
Words of condolence and sympathy were conveyed to the family as well as praise for his wonderful work and contribution to the church.
Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, former Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena and Gordon Darcy Lilo Minister for Environment, Conservation and Meteorology were amongst those who witnessed the service.
Dr Sikua described late Pr Wilfred was a man of simplicity and integrity.
He said indeed late Pr Wilfred had done so much for the church.
On behalf of his government and the people of Solomon Islands, he conveyed his sincere sympathy to the family of late Pr Wilfred for the loss.
From around country and South Pacific Division words of condolence came through email and radio,far as from Temotu to Shortland.
General Secretary of SPD Pr Lawrence Tanabose who was also present at the occasion said late Pr Wilfred had contributed to the work of the church for many years.
He said the SPD based in Australia were sadden to hear the untimely passing away.
"But its time that God have called
President of the Solomon Islands Mission (SIM) Pr Andrew Kingstone he and his counterpart were very shock of the passingaway the late Pr Wilfred Billy.
He said the church had lost one of the most dedicated man in the church.
"May you rest in peace with the good God Lord until the resurrection morning," he said.
Despite his (Pr Wilfred) retirement he had been actively involved in a lot of church work in his village and at the union level.
In the provincial level he was also involved in the peace and reconciliation programs.
During the tension he was also one of the church leaders being heavily involved in the peace process.
He will be laid to rest at his home village in Inus, north east Guadalcanal today.
Late Pr Wilfred is bring survived by his wife Serah and five children.
By MOFFAT MAMU&DENVER NEWTER
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
