In Memoriam: Bishop William Grove
Bishop William Boyd Grove, a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, died Oct. 27. He served as an episcopal leader in the Northeastern Jurisdiction from 1980 to 1996.
Upon learning of his death, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling noted that she had the joy and privilege of being in a covenant group with Bishop Grove for several years. She gleaned wisdom from his experiences and understanding of not just The United Methodist Church, but what is necessary for effective leadership. “Bishop Grove had a disciple’s heart and was committed to the Gospel. That commitment inspired him to advocate for inclusion and a firm stand against injustice,” she said. “I will miss his humor, his wonderful stories, but more than anything his friendship. Our prayers go out to his partner in life and ministry, Mary Lou, his daughters, and their entire family.”
William Boyd Grove was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Bethany College (B.A.), Drew University School of Theology (M. Div.), and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (D.Min.).
He was ordained into the Pittsburgh Conference and served churches in western Pennsylvania from 1954 until his election as bishop.
Grove was elected to the episcopacy by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 1980 and was assigned to the West Virginia Episcopal Area [1980-1992] and the Albany (NY) Episcopal Area [1992-1996]. He retired from the active episcopacy in 1996.
He served as President of the General Board of Church and Society [1984-1988], and as President of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns [1988-1996]. From 1996 to 2000, Bishop Grove served as Ecumenical Officer of the Council of Bishops, the first person to hold that office.
The bishop was a poet and hymn writer, and a member of the Order of St. Luke, which is committed to liturgical and sacramental renewal. He traveled widely and preached throughout the world.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 72 years, Mary Lou Naylor Grove, Johnson City, TN.; his children: Susan Grove-DeJarnett (Douglas), Johnson City, TN; Rebecca Grove Janczewski, North Huntingdon, PA; Brother: David L. Grove (Barbara) Kennett Square, PA; Sister-in-law: Susan Grove, Monee, IL; Grandchildren: Hannah Grove-DeJarnett, Washington, DC; Gretchen Frankenberry (Ryan) Charleston, WV; Carissa Janczewski Park (Alex) Upper St. Clair, PA, Daniel William Janczewski, Pittsburgh, PA; Sarah Morgan Janczewski, Hershey, PA; Great-grandchildren: Julia Douglas Frankenberry, Thatcher William Frankenberry, Charleston, WV; several nieces and nephews and many clergy sons and daughters from across the United Methodist Church.
Memorial Gifts may be made to the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia for ministries and relief aid for Ukrainian and Palestinian children; The William and Mary Lou Grove Trust at the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia; The Bishop William Boyd Grove Scholarship Fund, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV.
A funeral service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, 1221 Quarrier St. Charleston, WV. at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16.
My late husband Isaac and I were so blessed to be under his episcopal leadership in the then Wyoming conference, PA. He was a wonderful and so gracious. My condolences to the church and family