— obituary

The Rev. Willis W.H. Poyser

The Rev. Willis W.H. Poyser, 57, of Greeneville, died Monday, March 20, 2000, at Johnson City Medical Center as a result of a heart attack suffered in Johnson City while he was driving.

A native of Goshen, Ind., he was a son of Laurabelle Barnhart Poyser of Goshen and the late William Henry Poyser.

A 1974 graduate of Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Nashota, Wis., he had served the Episcopal Church for more than 25 years as a priest in parishes and missions in Michigan, Tennessee and Texas, and, most recently, in Greeneville, where he was formerly the rector of St. James Episcopal Church. At the time of his death, he was serving as a non-parochial priest in the Diocese of East Tennessee.

A nationally recognized musician, he played old-time music on the five string banjo.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, include a half-brother, Melvin Whitesell of South Bend, Ind.

A requiem mass was offered in thanksgiving for his life and ministry on March 28 in the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at Nashotah House.