Rev. William A. Highfield

COOPERSTOWN – The Rev. William A. Highfield died Monday, May 18, 2009, at Folts Home, a United Methodist Care Facility in Herkimer. He was 79 years old.

Born on Nov. 1, 1929, in Scranton, Pa., he had come with a "crash!" The stock market collapse had occurred only three days prior. The son of Jay Anderson and Sarah Stainsby Highfield grew up in the Depression and came of age during the war years. There were three older half sisters, Mabel, Lee and Peggy. Bill always said he had four “mothers” while growing up.

He graduated from Scranton Central High School in 1947. He earned his college and theological degrees from Drew University, Madison, N.J., in 1951, (Bachelor of Arts) and 1954, (Masters of Divinity). He received continuing education credit from Syracuse and Yale Divinity School. He was ordained Deacon in 1953, and an Elder (priest) in the Methodist Church on May 23, 1954, at a session of the Wyoming Annual Conference in the First Methodist Church of Oneonta.

However, his ministry began as a student pastor of the Harford and Harford Mills Methodist Churches on April 8, 1951. Subsequent pastorates were; Springville-Dimock, Lynn-Lymanville, Pa., (five years); Cooperstown and Fly Creek, (3 ½ years); Christ Church, Mountaintop, Pa., (5 ½ years); St. Paul’s Church, Endicott, (two years); Chenango St. Church, Binghamton, (2 ½ years); Clarks Summit, Pa., (13 ½ years); Vestal, (seven years).

He retired from full-time ministry in 1992, but accepted a part-time appointment at Burlington Flats, Exeter Center and West Exeter United Methodist churches, where he served until 2001. He also served at West Winfield Federated Church as an interim pastor from May to October of 2002.

In 2001, he and Carol moved to their home on Beaver Street in Cooperstown (the home in which Carol grew up). He continued to preach in nearby churches until illness prevented him from doing so then he turned his attention to active participation in the Cooperstown United Methodist Church.

On Jan. 20, 1962, he married Carol Louise Adams of Cooperstown. Carol was his help-mate, adjunct “pastor,” secretary, spell-checker, nurse, counselor, sermon critic, companion and love for 47 years!

They have two children, Jay Adams Highfield, Johnson City, and Ann Carol Highfield-Lomonaco, Endicott. He is also survived by his son from an earlier marriage, William Jr., his wife, Leann, and Bill Jr.’s children, Ben, Kate (Rob White), Brad and stepdaughter, Briana. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Hetty Adams; by his daughter-in-law, Dottie Highfield; great-grandsons, Jackson and Liam; his cousin, Isabel Harrison; and several surviving nieces and nephews. Of special memory are Episcopal priests Dick Chapin and Tom Davis and United Methodist Pastor George Mamourian; Drew classmates who met frequently during 60-plus years of friendship. Bill’s other companion was "Rookie," the family’s black lab!

Bill’s primary church interests were United Methodist liturgical worship, preaching, lectionary study and ecumenism. He always thought of his congregations as extensions of his own family. He was affectionately known as "Pastor Bill" for most of his ministry.

Bill was involved in many community agencies and organizations throughout his life. The Rotary Clubs of Cooperstown, Clarks Summit, Vestal, Edmeston and Cooperstown (again) benefitted from his participation and leadership. He was honored in July 2008 by the Rotary Clubs of Cooperstown and Binghamton as a Paul Harris Fellow. Wyoming United Methodist Conference used his talent in worship, ecumenism, mentoring, rural ministry, communication and administration. He proudly considered himself a social, political and theological progressive.

Hobbies included Saint Nicholas collectibles totaling over 600 figurines, pictures, icons, books, stories and postage stamps (a worldwide collection).

Pastor Bill tried to recapture the true identity of Santa Claus as the Pastor, Priest and Bishop St. Nicholas of Myra.

Bill was also interested in U.S. Stamps – compiling collections of sports stamps and covers (especially baseball), African-Americans, Love and Christmas issues. He was a member of the Leatherstocking Stamp Club.

His sports teams, the Phillies and the Eagles, always had his support; no matter how futile were many of their seasons ... but not the Phillies world championship of 2008!

Holy Communion and the Service of Death and Resurrection will be at Cooperstown United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2009, with the Rev. Sundar R. Samuel, as celebrant and the Rev. Beverly Butler, as homilist. All clergy are invited to vest and walk in processional.

Calling hours for family and friends will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2009, at Cooperstown United Methodist Church. The family will also receive family and friends an hour before Saturday’s service. There will be a reception hosted by the Cooperstown United Methodist Church Women in the Church Hall following the service.

Burial of Bill’s remains will be in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution in honor of Bill’s life to one of the following: Cooperstown United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Cooperstown, NY 13326; Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Cooperstown Food Bank, 25 Church St., Cooperstown, NY 13326.

A special thanks to all of Bill’s caregivers.

When asked what his mission in life was, Bill would always answer, "I hope I can be useful to someone." ... Praise God!

Funeral arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown and Milford.