Retired Free Methodist Pastor William Robert Stotts Dies

William Robert “Bill” Stotts died on May 12, 2021, according to an obituary published by Randall & Roberts Funeral Home in Indianapolis. He was born on May 14, 1939, in Paris, Illinois. The obituary says he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and felt called to the ministry at age 14.

Stotts attended Indiana Central University, where he met his wife, Jane Ellen (McIntire) Stotts. The couple decided together to devote their lives to service, and Stotts attended Evangelical United Brethren Seminary. The obituary says they pastored several United Methodist churches in Illinois, in Potomac, Naperville, Danville and Henry.

In 1975 the family moved to Indiana, where Stotts continued in ministry with the Free Methodist Church in Terre Haute, at the Ritter Avenue congregation in Indianapolis, and in Washington. After retiring, he filled in as pastor for several congregations throughout the Wabash Conference. The obituary describes him as a servant leader who took on tasks of every kind, including shoveling snow, cleaning church restrooms and driving the church van.

The obituary says Stotts was especially devoted to relationships. It states that he visited the sick and the grieving, helped people with daily tasks, and befriended the poor and those on the margins of society. It also says he sought to point people to Jesus and to share God’s love with them. His visits to the sick and grieving reflected a readiness to bring comfort to others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

He is survived by his wife of 59½ years; by sons Jeff and Doug and daughter Kay; and by several grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, a stepmother, two sisters and a brother. A celebration of life service is scheduled for Saturday, May 29, at Ritter Avenue Free Methodist Church in Indianapolis, officiated by Pastor Dave Nicholson. Visitation is set for 11:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Washington East Memorial Cemetery in Indianapolis. The family asked that memorial contributions be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or to International Child Care Ministries.

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