Rev Dr William Henney, Church of Scotland minister

Published on Friday 6 November 2009 21:17

Born: 13 February, 1931, in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. Died: 28 October, 2009, in St Andrews, aged 78.

RETIRED minister, the Rev Dr William Henney, was, according to friends an "incurable workaholic", his work being for the God he followed throughout his life, and many benefited from his drive and enthusiasm and love of the church.

Warm-hearted and immensely conscientious, he built up a strong and effective ministry in St Andrews during nearly two decades at Hope Park Church in the university town, and he was respected throughout the local community.

Born in Alloa, where he was educated at the town's local secondary school and where he was captain and also Dux in English and history, Dr Henney was also an accomplished sportsman in several fields.

Already resolved to enter the ministry, he began his studies at St Andrews University in 1950 and graduated with an MA in English and history, before going on to study theology at St Mary's College in St Andrews.

On joining the ministry, he served a probationary year at St Andrews Parish Church, Dundee, before he was inducted in 1957 to Rattray Parish Church, Blairgowrie, where he remained for seven years.

While there, he was chaplain to Blairgowrie High School, local primary schools and to Strathmore Hospital, and also served as Moderator of the Presbytery of Meigle.

He later moved to Renfrewshire, to the newly united charge of St Paul's Church, Johnstone, from 1965 to 1974, before spending four years in the Church of Scotland's department of education at its headquarters in Edinburgh as secretary with responsibility for the church's interest in day schools and tertiary education. Part of his remit focused on organising in-service training for ministers and also recruitment to the ministry.

In 1978, he was inducted to Hope Park Church, St Andrews, where he remained until he eventually retired in 1996.

A former Moderator of the Presbytery of St Andrews in 1988, he was Precentor to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for 20 years until 1995.

During a weekend stay at Balmoral on Royal Deeside, Dr Henney preached before the Queen and other members of the Royal family at Crathie Church.

Dr Henney received an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from St Andrews University in 1993 in recognition of his considerable contribution to life in the town, where he was a very popular figure.

A long-time member of St Andrews Rotary Club, of which he was a former president, he also received the prestigious Burns Award for Citizenship from the St Andrews Burns Club in 1997 in recognition of his work in all sections of the community.

An accomplished musician and baritone singer, Dr Henney was an active member – and also a one-time leader – of the St Salvator's Chapel Choir at St Andrews University.

He was also a member of the University Music Society and for a period was conductor of the University Madrigal Group, a forerunner of the University Renaissance Group, of which he was a member for many years.

A great influence on his life was Cedric Thorpe Davie, former head of music at St Andrews University, with whom he struck up a long-lasting musical rapport.

A dedicated family man, he was invited during his ministry to stand for the position of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. However, due to his concerns for his wife and young family, he declined.

Predeceased by his wife, Margaret, he is survived by a son, Graham, daughters Alison, Marion, Gillian and Laura, and three grandchildren.