The Church Of Ireland
Press Release

Approximately 800 people were present in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday, 20 January, for the Funeral Service of the Revd. Canon R.W. M. "Billy" Wynne, LL.D., who founded the first branch of the Samaritans in Ireland in 1970. Aged 80, he died suddenly on 17 January.

President Mary McAleese was represented by her ADC, Comdt. Dermot O’Connor. Also present were the Lord Mayor, Councillor Mary Frehill, and the Director of the Dublin Branch of the Samaritans, Mr. Joe Gallagher.

The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd. Dr. Walton Empey, presided. Also taking part in the service were the Very Revd. Dr. Robert MacCarthy, Dean, and Revd. Peter Campion, Dean’s Vicar. The readings were by the Very Revd. Peter Barrett, Dean of Waterford, and Canon Gerald Magahy. Intercessions were led by the Revd. Ferran Glenfield, Rector of Kill O’ the Grange Parish.

The address was given by Canon Cecil Hyland, Rector of Howth. He said that the hallmark of Billy’s ministry was compassion. "He had the knack of encouraging people to share their problems with him and of getting to the nub of where people were hurting. He never condemned but offered support and encouragement." Because he was "a man who struggled within himself" he was able to help others in their struggles.

Canon Hyland recalled that it was during his time as Rector of Delgany that Billy became concerned about those suffering with depression. He said, "One day during a pastoral visit, an elderly woman asked him to pray for those who were in danger of committing suicide." This led him to think of setting up a telephone ministry. Some years later he was encouraged by the Revd. Chad Varah, the founder of the Samaritans, to set up a branch in Dublin. "From that small beginning, which he pioneered from his study in Monkstown, has grown a branch with 250 active volunteers and over 80,000 contacts."

In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, he received a number of awards including A People of the Year Award in 1983, a Dublin Millennium Award in 1988 and in 1996 an honorary Doctorate in Laws from Dublin University.

Describing Billy as someone who was ‘larger than life,’ Canon Hyland said that Billy’s sense of humour would brighten the darkest day. "He saw his ministry as something to enjoy and he wanted to bring that joy to others." His former curate recalled that Billy often reminded his curates of the Book of Common Prayer phrase asking God ‘to cheer, heal and sanctify the sick.’ "Notice he would say cheer comes first."

Canon Hyland said that worship was central to everything Billy did. "It was always a celebration and an occasion for joy." He paid tribute to his ability as a preacher and recalled a period when Billy used visual aids in worship "Toy aeroplanes flew around Monkstown Church. Table tennis balls were thrown at the congregation. He always wanted to ride a bicycle up the aisle but he couldn’t find a message to fit this action." However, he was determined to do this and promised he would let Canon Hyland know beforehand. " Some ten years later the ‘phone rang at 11.30 one Saturday night. ‘I’m doing it in the morning,’ said the voice and the phone went dead."

Canon Hyland said that he believed that Billy’s unpredictability in an institution where often things seemed to remain the same was part of his appeal. Alongside his sense of fun he hated hypocrisy and sham and with a few well- chosen words he could bring a person down to earth.

Referring to his ministry in retirement Canon Hyland said that he was generous with his time and kept in touch with so many by ‘phone right up to the end. He also helped with the Missions to Seamen and wrote a fortnightly column in Saturday’s Irish Times, "a task he didn’t find easy. Its content, however, was often used in pulpits throughout the country the next day."

Canon Hyland said that Billy drew strength from his home and he paid a warm tribute to Mrs. Wynne and their three sons, John, Peter and Stephen. "Cecil," he said, "was Billy’s devoted and loving wife for 50 years, his friend and companion always on hand to support and encourage him."