Bill Down
Assistant Bishop of Leicester
DioceseDiocese of Leicester
In office1995–2001
PredecessorGodfrey Ashby
SuccessorJohn Austin
Other postsBishop of Bermuda (1990–1995)
Honorary assistant bishop in Oxford (2001–2021)
Orders
Ordination1959 (deacon); 1960 (priest)
Consecration1990
Personal details
Born15 July 1934
Surrey, United Kingdom
Died4 February 2025 (aged 90)
Oxford, United Kingdom
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
ParentsWilliam & Beryl Down
SpouseSylvia Aves (m. 1960)
Children2 sons; 2 daughters
ProfessionMissionary; writer
Alma materSt John's College, Cambridge

William John Denbigh Down (15 July 1934 – 4 February 2025) was a British cleric who was the ninth Bishop of Bermuda and later the Assistant Bishop of Leicester.

Biography

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Educated at St John's College, Cambridge, Down was ordained in 1960. His first post was as a curate at St Paul's Church, Salisbury, after which he was secretary to the Missions to Seaman, chaplain of St Michael Paternoster Royal,[1] and honorary chaplain to the Carmen's Company[2] until his ordination to the episcopate in 1990.[3][4] He returned to England as the Assistant Bishop of Leicester in 1995[5] before retiring in 2001.[6] He was ultimately honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Oxford, where he settled at Witney.[7]

Down died on 4 February 2025, at the age of 90.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Crockford's clerical directory, 1995, Lambeth, Church House ISBN 0-7151-8088-6)
  2. ^ "Luncheon: Carmen's Company". The Times. London. 31 January 1990. p. 18.
  3. ^ "Down, Rt Rev. William John Denbigh", Who's Who 2012, A & C Black, 2012; online edition, Oxford University Press, December 2011 [1], accessed 22 July 2012
  4. ^ "New Bishop of Bermuda". The Times. London. 20 October 1989. p. 16.
  5. ^ "Church news". The Times. London. 25 August 1995. p. 18.
  6. ^ Oremus
  7. ^ "Down, William John Denbigh". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 30 April 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  8. ^ "Church Times: "Deaths", 14 February 2025".