William Grant Berney

1927 - 2017

William Grant Berney June 17, 1927 January 31, 2017 Bill, son of William E. & Dorothy Berney, was born June 17, 1927, in Walla Walla, WA. He graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1944 and then from Whitman College in 1948 with a degree in Physics. He went on to seminary at Garrett Theological Seminary, in Evanston, IL, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree. After marrying his Whitman sweetheart, Virginia Wilkes, he went to Yale Divinity School where he received a Sacred Theology Master's degree. Bill then began his 40-year career as a United Methodist pastor, in strong partnership with Virginia. Bill served in Moses Lake, WA (1952-1957), establishing a new church. Daughters Gail and Ann were born there. He then served the Grangeville and White Bird, ID churches (1957-1961), where daughters Joyce and Celia were born, and Bethany Methodist Church in Tacoma (1961-1964). While in Tacoma, the Berneys adopted a baby son, John. From there, Bill served as pastor of churches in Pullman (1964-1974), Renton (1974-1985), Wenatchee (1985-1986), and Bellingham (1987-1992). In 1992, Bill and Virginia began retired life, living in Bill's childhood home in Walla Walla. They continued service to local churches and the community. In 2010 they moved to Panorama in Lacey, WA, to be closer to family. Bill was a scholar, teacher, compassionate listener, musician, and seeker of social justice. He was a lover of science, nature, and the world, including both its land and people. He and Virginia traveled extensively. William Berney is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia, sister Barbara McCornack of Fort Collins, CO, brother Robert Berney of Grasonville, MD; five children: Gail Schmunk (Peter) of Spartanburg, SC, Ann Berney (Jane Appling) of Seattle, Joyce Berney (Scott Corbett) of Portland, Celia Nightingale (David) of Olympia, John Berney of Lovelock NV; and 10 grandchildren: Stephen & Hannah Schmunk, Paulo Berney, Colin, Rebecca & Evan Corbett, Reed & Joel Nightingale, and Tabytha & Jevyn Berney. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, February 19, at 3:00 p.m. at Olympia First United Methodist Church. Memorial donations may be made to Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center, 16170 Manastash Rd., Ellensburg, WA 98926; or to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087 (www.UMCOR.org). (For a more extensive obituary see www.funeralalternatives.org)