Father of the Year

On Father's Day each year First Christian Church Scottsdale gives out the "Father of the Year" Award to one of our members. This year's recipient was the Rev. Bill Barnes!

Here are the words shared in worship on Sunday as the Award was announced and presented to Bill. The speech was written by Bill's daughter, the Rev. Judy Stall (FCC's Minister of Outreach) and read by Bill's son-in-law Bob Stall (FCC Elder and Father of the Year in 1981). 

First let it be known that I was not on the committee which decided the Father of the Year but they have asked me to make the presentation.


Our honoree was born in Kansas City, Mo. to a humble Disciple family, his father drove a city bus and his mother was Sunday school superintendent for twenty years. Both this gentleman and his brother became Disciple ministers.


He dated his wife to be, went to the service and came back to marry her at nineteen. (He knew a special person when he saw her!!) They were young parents having their first child at age 20 and second at 25.


He served our denomination for over 40 years in the ministry: first as minister of a church in
Missouri which he founded; as Vice Pres of development at Christian Theological Seminary;
and finally as Vice President of Development for the Disciple denomination at the national level.


So he comes to Arizona to retire, to finally rest and ends up: helping the church on the building
study committee and the property committee; substituted as teacher and preacher; doing
community work for Girls’ Ranch and Talison and was on the Board for Waymark Gardens,
at one time a Disciple retirement community. He has found time to go fishing, go to the cabin
(where he lives with the “catch of his life”) and to be with all the children, grand children and great
grandchildren!


As busy as he was when he was working, he always had time for his two daughters. Whether the family was going on trips, teaching the girls to fish or playing catch he has always been there to help them, advise them when asked (well not always asked) or just needed help. Those two daughters grew up and got married. He officiated at both of their weddings and helped his daughter with two of the
grandchildren’s weddings, next year a third one.


Then he got be a grandfather. He went to work bragging about his 5 grandchildren. Ask the grandchildren and they will tell you it was always special when they got to visit or
have Granddad (and Grammy) come and visit. Trips to the lake ,rides on the boat, visiting the Indiana State fair, rides on the John Deer and even cutting a softball diamond in the grass…I guess he thought ….”They will come!!”


Funny or corny as he may be, he will make you laugh and then make an important point or give support to you in any way possible.


The best thing he did was marrying Shirley which allowed two daughters to have a wonderful father and their husbands to have a tremendous father-in –law, which meant 5 grandchildren (Jason, Emily, Ryan, Megan and Will) have a special person called “Granddad” and Nicholas, Brayden and Blake to have a Great –Granddad.


So for father, granddad and great granddad of the year for 2011 it is a special privilege for me to say that this recognition and honor goes to Bill Barnes. We all love you Granddad!

Congratulations, Bill. You are a wonderful example for all of us and a deserving recipient of the 2011 Father of the Year Award!