Rev. Dr. William Thomas Scott, Jr.

Rev. Dr. William (Bill) Thomas Scott, Jr. of Avondale, PA, died Sunday, January 27th, on the 29th anniversary of his marriage to his beloved wife, Susan. He was a month and a day shy of his 75th birthday. Born on Leap Year Day, 1944 in Providence, Rhode Island, Bill liked to say he was still a teenager, given that he’d had so few actual birthdays! Growing up in Barrington, R.I., he was active in the Barrington Congregational Church. At age 8, upon the death of his grandfather, he heard a voice calling him to Christian ministry - a call he eventually answered as an ordained clergyman in the United Church of Christ.

A 1967 graduate in Economics from Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan, Bill went from there to Andover Newton Theological Seminary, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1970. He returned there in 1976, receiving a Doctor of Ministry in Psychology and Clinical Studies the following year. From 1974 to 1982, Bill served as pastor of a sequence of three United Church of Christ parishes: Christ Reformed in Alexandria, PA, Somersville Congregational in Somersville, CT and United Church of Ware, MA.

In 1982, Bill began a career in specialized ministry as a healthcare chaplain and ACPE certified chaplain educator in hospital settings: The Williamsport Hospital (1982-1990); The Stamford Hospital (1990-2002); VA San Diego Healthcare Center (2003-2010). Over a 27 year period, he designed and led numerous units of training for clergy, laity, religious, and military chaplains focused on the art of pastoral care. Bill was graced with particular gifts in providing support in crisis situations in the ICU and emergency room and counseling crisis responders. With students, Bill was a keen judge of behavior, an enthusiastic encourager of their personal and professional growth, and a strong advocate for self care. After his 2010 retirement, he was granted supervisor emeritus status by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Bill was particularly proud of his service as a fire department chaplain with the Old Lycoming Township Fire Department (1987-1990) and his American Red Cross volunteer service as a spiritual responder to the following airline crash events: Egypt Air, the 9/11 event in NYC and the November, 2001 crash of AA Flight 587 in the Rockaway section of Queens (NYC). Following his retirement in late 2010, and prior to moving back to the east coast, Bill participated in the San Diego Sheriff Department’s Senior Volunteer Program, providing support services to law enforcement.

Bill was pre-deceased by his mother and father, William T. and Anna (Gistedt) Scott of Barrington, RI, and a cousin, Peter H. Scott formerly of Palm Coast, FL. He is survived by his dear wife, Susan (Avondale, PA), and four beloved adult step-children, Carol Royer (Drew Bjorke) of Kennett Square, PA, Lucas Royer (Heather) of Cooper City, FL, Beth Royer, of Hinesburg, VT and Jacob Royer, also of Hinesburg, VT. Bill had three grand daughters in whom he took great delight: Rose Royer, Lily Royer, and Greta Bjorke. He is also survived by his cousin John Gistedt of Sparrows Point, Maryland.

Bill will be remembered for his sense of humor, hearty laugh, corny comebacks, warm encompassing presence, and his love of everything New England: seafood, lighthouses the Boston Red Sox, and the UConn Women’s Basketball Team.

A memorial service will be held at New Ark United Church of Christ in Newark, DE on Saturday, February 23rd at 11 a.m. Rev. Andrew Webber and Rev. Robert Cassels will officiate. Interment of Bill’s cremains will take place at Forest Chapel Cemetery in Barrington, Rhode Island at a later date. Gifts in Bill’s memory may be directed to the Foundation for A.C.P.E.  One West Court Square, Suite 325, Decatur, GA 30030 or using this internet link:
https://www.acpe.edu/ACPE/FundraisingFoundation_Home.aspx

Arrangements entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg, PA. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com