OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16150, 11 February 1916, Page 9

OBITUARY.

VEN. ARCHDEACON WILLIS. EX-YICAR OF. CAMBRIDGE. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] Cambridge, Thursday. The Ten. Archdeacon Willis, formerly vicar of St. Andrew's parish, died late this afternoon after a painful illness. The deceased gentleman, who was in bis 70th year, was a son of the Rev. Mr. Willis, some time rector of Kilpeacon, and prebendary of St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, Ireland. He arrived in Xew Zealand 50 years ago in company with the late Archdeacon Walsh, and together they entered upon farming pursuits in the Bay of Islands. While there, in 1872, the late Bishop Cowie met them, and induced them to enter St. John's College to study for the ministry. Aft*? ordination Archdeacon Willis was appointed curate at St, Sepulchre's, under the late Archdeacon Dudley, but three years later—in January. 1878—h. received the appointment of vicar to St. Andrew's, Cambridge, which post he filled most! worthily up to about three years ago, since when he lived here privately with his wife and family. Although not robust, his • health did not occasion his family any concern, but Archdeacon Walsh's -death in August, 1914, and then his son's death in action in May last, perceptibly affected him, and a malady developed which brought about his decease. One of Nature's gentlemen, ha was greatly beloved in this district. While in Auckland ha was perhaps one of the most honoured and useful men in the synod. He leaves a wife and grown-up family, consisting of Mrs. J. B. Lusk, Mrs. F. G. Harvie, Miss Willis, Miss Cecil Willis, Mr. Alan Willis, and Mr. Frank Willis. Mr. Frank Willis left a few days ago, en route to England, to enlist in a British regiment. Archdeacon Willis came of a clerical family, his grandfather, his father, and five uncles all having been clergymen of ' the Church of England.