Rev. William James Torrey (Bill) passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026, at the age of 97.

Born on July 31, 1928, to Roy Welty Torrey and Florence May Martin, Bill was raised on his grandmother’s farm near Vassar, Michigan. Life on the farm was behind the times even for back then, with no electricity or running water until he was 16. As an only child, Bill spent much of his time exploring the farm on his own, forming a lifelong love of outdoors and horses.

Bill attended a one-room schoolhouse for most of his K–12 education. He began his higher education studying art at Eastern Michigan University and then transferred to Western Michigan University, earning a bachelor’s degree. Bill went on to attend Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity.

Bill was ordained in the West Michigan Conference of the Methodist Church and served faithfully in ministry for 42 years. He pastored 10 congregations in nine western Michigan towns including Oshtemo, Wayland, Wacousta, Battle Creek, South Haven, Ludington, Jackson, Portage, and Rockford. Bill served for seven years on the West Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and played various leadership roles in local youth camps. During his retirement years, he continued his ministry in various capacities in Portage, Michigan, and in Campton and Plymouth, New Hampshire.

On July 13, 1963, Bill married Eileen Johanna Witherell, the love of his life. Together, they formed a true partnership in ministry and in life, serving side by side in each church community. They enjoyed travels together with groups to Israel, New York, and DC, and with family to Colorado, Alaska, California, and France.

Family was at the center of their life together and they cherished time with their children and grandchildren. They shared a special love for the water, living for many years on Lake Michigan, later spending summers at their cottage on a small lake, and ultimately settling for the past 25 years along a brook leading to Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

Bill had many hobbies he loved, including playing the clarinet, riding his bike, boating, mowing the lawn, and doing anything in the sun and water. He enjoyed cartooning for the Christian Advocate magazine and doing real-time chalk cartooning for children’s sermons. He found great joy in painting scenes of lakes and nature. Bill had a lifelong affinity for cowboys and, in his later years, donned cowboy outfits that became his signature look in the community.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Eileen Torrey; his children and their spouses: Lisa & Chris Weiss from Massachusetts; Bill & Bonnie Torrey from Colorado; Bob & Jen Torrey from Colorado. He is also survived by his six grandchildren and (almost) two great-grandchildren: Becky & Stuart Alldrit (baby due in July); David & Megan Torrey and their son Wesley; Jesse Weiss; Olly Weiss; Maddie Torrey (marrying Levi Schwarz in May); and Katie Torrey.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, April 26, 1:00 pm at:

Plymouth Congregational Church UCC
4 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH 03264

Followed by a 4:00 pm burial at the Trinity Churchyard Cemetery:

926 New Hampshire Rte 175, Holderness, NH 03245
 

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Plymouth Congregational Church (uccplymouth.org/give).