William J. Barnett

Affectionately known as “Dr. Bill”, William J. Barnett, MD, died August 14, 2023. He was 106 years old. His core commitment was to love and serve his Savior, Jesus Christ. His beloved wife, Laura Miller Lane Barnett, preceded him in death on July 31, 2012. They were married 68 years. He believed Laura was an integral part of all his accomplishments.

Other close family that preceded Bill in death are a son, Harold “Ham” MacDowell; granddaughter, Hannah Oldfield; parents, Albert and Elma Barnett; siblings: Carl Barnett, Arthur (Peggy) Barnett, Erik (Emily) Barnett, Paul (Dorothy) Barnett, and Ruth (Tom) Collins; and nieces and nephews: Steven Barnett, Mary Starr, Charles Barnett, Stanley Barnett, John Barnett, and Carl Barnett. He was further preceded by Lane family including his wife’s parents, Mortimer and Mary Lane; siblings: Carol (John) Streater, Eva (Howard) Van Buren, Vern Prescott, Jack Harding, Warren (Charlotte) Lane, Betty Shaffer, Jim Lane, and Doug Smith; nephew, Steve Prescott; and niece, Francois Smith.

Bill is survived by his children: Ruth Campbell, Ted (Martha) Barnett, Eileen (Jonathan) Greenham, Carol (John) Oldfield, Martha (Steve) McNair, and Jim (Bev) Barnett; grandchildren and (great-grandchildren): Lisa and Jessie (Averie), Jonathan and Caroline (Cayla, Lucas, Max, and Jack), Ted and Annie (Laura, Ellie, and Abbie), Willie and Becky (Aeden, Beckett, and Rosemary), Jennifer and Shaun (Gabby and Lola), Brigitte, Raha and Ryan (Zephyr and Zinnia), Jason and Brigitte, Marti, Alex, James and Caredwen (Gwendolen), Rachel and Chad (Maddie, Claire, Emi, Cadence, and Kyan), Dawn and Zach (Alaina Mae and Ayrleas), Catherine, Steven, and Deborah. Those surviving among his Lane siblings include Roy Shaffer, Ruth Smith, Arlyne Lane, and Don McDonald. He holds dear the many surviving nieces, nephews, and their children in both the Barnett and Lane families. In addition, he leaves behind many friends, co-workers, and former patients.

Grace and humility were paramount to Bill (Willie). He would refer to himself as very ordinary—painfully shy in early years, academically middle of the road, and a sinner—prone to wander from God. About age 13, he sat under a bush in Kijabe, Kenya, after reading through the small leather-bound New Testament mailed to him from the USA by his brothers. Willie became aware in a fresh way that his sin, shame, and guilt were lifted from him by Jesus’ sacrifice at the Cross. Bill personalized his trust in Jesus that day, and he symbolized this by inserting his name into John 3:16, written on the flyleaf of that gift:

“For God so loved Willie that He gave his one and only Son, that if Willie believes in Him, he shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

Bill gave his life to God and expressed his gratitude through a lifetime commitment of worship, love, service, and faithfulness to his Lord. Very notable to his family was his willingness to ask forgiveness if he spoke unkindly to a family member or a friend. He also was gracious to forgive others. These loving actions shaped the lives of his children and are perhaps his greatest legacy.

Born May 29, 1917, in Kilombe, Kenya, Bill spent his childhood in Eldama Ravine, Kenya, and grew to love the people of East Africa. He was inspired by the work of his mother and father as they served and loved God and others faithfully. He attended Rift Valley Academy. After immigrating to the US at age 14, he completed high school in Columbia, SC, and attended Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University), Wheaton College, and Albany Medical School. He married Laura Lane in 1944. He later served as chief of surgery as well as commanding officer of an U.S. army hospital in Seoul, Korea (1947). In 1950, Bill and Laura joined Africa Inland Mission to serve and support the ministries of the Africa Inland Church. They moved to Tanganyika (now Tanzania) with their first three children to work at Kolandoto Hospital near Shinyanga. In 1963, now with six children, Bill and Laura took a new assignment in Kijabe, Kenya. This lasted until about 1980 when they participated with a team to launch a new work in the Comoro Islands until retirement in 1990. Their last stint of work in Africa was in 1993, when they spent six months in the Horn of Africa.

Bill’s years of growth, education, marriage, and work were rich and focused on further developing his love for Jesus and his desire to share the loving message of salvation in Christ with others through compassionate actions and words. With surgical and anesthesia training, experience in the army, and very dedicated study (his family recounts how in Africa he would study and formulate instruments for surgeries coming up the next day), he emerged as a very capable physician who performed most types of surgery, obstetrics, and primary care in remote settings. At some periods in his career, he was the only physician or surgeon in an area. He worked with excellent nurse leaders to develop two nursing schools (Kolandoto and Kijabe), served as a school doctor (Rift Valley Academy), administered outlying clinics, and functioned in innumerable ways, including renovating buildings and installing generators. Through it all, he cared for his family with evident love.

Dr. Bill is loved and remembered by thousands of patients and friends in Africa, the US, and around the world. He did not seek out recognition, but he was honored with these awards: elected into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 1962; MAP International Ralph Blocksma Award, March 31, 1987; highest civilian honor conferred by the President of the Comoro Islands - Commandeur de l’Ordre du Croissant Vert des Comores on September 17, 1990; Columbia International University - 1996 Distinguished Alumnus; Albany Medical College Alumni Association - Humanitarian Award May 6, 2000; and Missionaries of the Year Award presented to Bill & Laura by Christian Medical & Dental Associations June 2001. Bill and Laura were also featured in the Parade Magazine on August 17, 1986, in “The Doctor of Hope”.

Dr. Bill-Grandpa-GGPa-Dad sought to honor Jesus by offering “a cup of cold water” to any person he related to, no matter their circumstances. He did this through listening, prayer, study, surgery, mechanics, carpentry, grounds upkeep, jam making, fashioning canes, and other caring acts of service. He loved to assist others with his hands. During his retirement years in California (1991-2014), he led a recycling ministry at Trabuco Canyon Community Church, “Can Do,” which produced over $1000 to donate to missions annually. He continued the recycling while living in Peoria by stripping copper wire and donating the proceeds to Salem4Youth.

Bill turned to avid bike riding and other hobbies while battling low vision during retirement years. He enjoyed following sports, most notably the LA Lakers basketball team and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. He also loved storytelling, and we will miss his wit and chuckle when recounting a prank or joke.

Bill often told how his dear wife Laura, in some of her last words, drew him close and whispered, “I’ll be waiting at the gate (of heaven) for you when it is your turn.” That turn has come for Bill, and he would want all to know of the deep love of Jesus inviting everyone to fellowship with Him.

Bill’s family are deeply grateful for all who came into the home over the last six years to help care for him. We thank each one of you!

Dad, we wish for you (D68WB) more Ham radio calls with Chuck, one last shrimp with Dan, another lamb stew from David (or meal from one of our many dear neighbors and friends), a Connie massage (with memories of Mama Barnett), another loving bouquet from Gloria, more laughter and beautiful service with “Brinser” and all the nurses you worked with, another hospital generator to install with Ali or with one of the numerous other co-laborers you worked with around East Africa, singing of “The Love of God” with all of us, another Zoom church with Willie or Becky (or one of the many pastors you loved to hear over the years), and we wish to share with you another Cubs victory! But now you have far better than all these things—you are home with Jesus and with all who have gone before you.

Tutaonana, Baba—Mzee! “God be with you till we meet again.”

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (NIV)

~2 Corinthians 8:9, one of Bill’s favorite verses

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, at The Wilton Mortuary, 2101 N. Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603. The committal service is at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518 on Friday, September 8, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. A memorial service will be on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation prior beginning at 10:00 a.m. at East White Oak Bible Church, 11922 E 2000 North Rd, Carlock, IL 61725.

If you desire to donate a gift in Dr. Bill’s honor, please consider Salem4Youth (https://salem4youth.com/), Africa Inland Mission (https://aimint.org/), or Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (https://paacs.net/).