Reprinted from Brenda Barger’s Jan. 12, 2012, Around Davidson ^[1] column.

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Bill Tiemann

By BRENDA BARGER
DavidsonNews.net

New Year’s Day was a time to close one chapter and open a new one for the Rev. William Harold Tiemann, a “long tall Texan,” who retired from his duties with “his Davidson flock” on Jan. 1.

Born in Seguin, Texas, some 30 miles east of San Antonio, Bill grew up on a farm where his parents raised cotton, corn, grains, cows, sheep and hogs. He used his 4-H training to show hogs in local county fairs and through FFA was encouraged to show Hereford calves.

Leaving the rural life behind, Bill enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin but had his education interrupted by World War II where he served in the Navy.

Finishing his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering in 1950, he worked to pay off his school debt before deciding on a career in ministry. With degrees from Austin (Texas) Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Andover-Newton (Mass.) Theological Seminary, Bill went on to serve churches in Arkansas and Texas before coming to Charlotte/Mecklenburg Presbytery as associate executive for church development from 1989-1994. Following service to the Presbytery, Bill took interim pastor positions in our area until Senior Minister Alan Brindisi tapped him to be Parish Associate for the Davidson College Presbyterian Church early in 2001 (taking the position John Lyles held previously).

In Bill’s own words, he “visited the old, sick, dying and grieving” for the past 10 years and 11 months. At The Pines he never distinguished between Presbyterians and “others,” but had a kind word and heartfelt prayer for any who needed it. He served the greater community as well, made hospital and home visits, and leaves his position with marvelous memories and friendships with people of all ages. Asked to work 20 hours each week, he usually put in 30. Recalling his many experiences, Bill commented that the most special and difficult months of ministry were those tending to a grieving congregation after the untimely death of Alan Brindisi in 2006.

Bill and his wife, Rachel Haynes, a retired Episcopal priest, have a home in Spinnaker Court and a wonderful family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At the 11 a.m. worship service at DCPC on New Year’s Day, the church gave Bill a Resolution of Appreciation and a gift of travel.

What plans do Bill and Rachel have for their retirement? Bill has many plans and outlined a few for us as follows:

“Our plans are for some travel–a beach trip to Florida soon, courtesy of the church; Texas in the spring at Bluebonnet season and a visit with a son, brother and sister, nieces and nephews; Kansas in late April to see my great granddaughter before she and her parents are off to Thailand with the Army, becoming Southeast Asia specialists before assignment to the Pentagon; and a week at Sunset Beach after Labor Day. Mostly, though, we hope to catch up with correspondence and then start going through the house to see how much we can organize to keep, and what to get rid of before going one day to The Pines. In the off hours, reading and watching movies on Netflix, daily exercise, Charlotte symphony, Davidson College Friends of the Arts stuff, Davidson Community Players, DavidsonNews.net, and, of course, Sunday School and Worship. And finally, or first of all, trying to stay well.”

Well done, Bill. Congratulations on decades of service to the church and now a much deserved retirement!