A unique, distinctive and much-valued voice in the Church of Scotland
WITH the death of the Rev Bill Shackleton at the age of 94, the Church of Scotland has lost a unique and distinctive voice. He spoke with love, understanding, and humour about the east end of Glasgow, its life and its characters, writes The Very Reverend John Miller.
Bill was born in Glasgow but grew up in Preston. He spent three years as an apprentice printer but a local Congregational minister pointed him towards the ministry, and he then pursued studies in History and Theology at Edinburgh University.
In 1955 he joined the Iona Community. Inspired by its communal life he became assistant to the Rev John Sim in St Francis In The East Church, Bridgeton. Bill lived in Church House, a pioneering centre of youth work, and became deeply involved in the challenges of young people who attended the club. In 1960 he became minister of St Francis In The East. In 1963 he married Margaret Brown, with whom he would share 59 years of married life.
He became a member and sometime president of the Bridgeton Business Club. A Burns devotee, he joined the Bridgeton
Burns Club and spoke at Burns’ Suppers. His speeches were learned and hilarious. He was a prolific writer of letters to The Herald on the widest range of topics. He published three books, filled with witty and compassionate stories of his life as a minister.
Bill promoted the work of
The Regnal League, which had its roots in the trenches of the First World War and recognised a way of life that attended to “body, mind, and spirit, with Christ at the centre”. The Bridgeton
Regnal Circle still meets and Bill remained involved with Regnal until his death.
In 1983 he accepted a call to
Wellpark West Parish Church, Greenock. He continued his focus on youth through his youth fellowship, and was Greenock Prison chaplain until his retirement in 1996.
Anyone who met Bill remembers him. The parishes he served knew difficult times, and he gave steadfast commitment to his parishioners and those in need. He fulfilled the instruction given him by the Beadle on his first Sunday at St Francis: ‘Keep it cheery, Bill; keep it cheery.’
He is survived by Margaret, their son, the Rev Scott Shackleton, daughters Alison and Joy, and six grandchildren.