In Memoriam

Rev. Dr. Helmut William (Bill) Busch

January 14, 1936 – November 24, 2023

Rev. Dr. H. William Busch was born in Berlin, Germany, to an American Mother and a German Father. His father died in a Russian prisoner-of-war camp on Christmas Day, 1945. A survivor of Berlin’s wartime bombings, he came to America with his mother and sister in November 1950 to the small farming community of Fowler, California. His education includes an AA from Humboldt State University, a BA from UC Berkeley, an M.Div. Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, May 1965; and a D.Min. PLTS, Berkeley, May 1981 (Christian Education and Pastoral Counseling).  

Served as a Parish Pastor for 28 years (1965-1993) in both ELCA and LCA, all in California - 1965-1972 St. James Lutheran, Richmond; 1972-1976 Grace Lutheran, Glen Avon (Riverside); 1976-1984 Nazareth Lutheran, Turlock; 1984-1990 St. Stephens Lutheran, El Dorado Hills; and 1990-1993 Trinity Lutheran, Fort Bragg.

Served in Hospital Chaplaincy for nearly 18 years (1993-2011) all in California - September 1993 – March 1996 Fresno Community Hospital, Fresno. 

Received ecclesiastical endorsement for specialized ministry by the ELCA and the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, December 1994. 

A fellow in the College of Chaplains, which is now the Association of Professional Chaplains. Board Certified Hospital Chaplain - March 1996 – June 2006 Sierra View District Hospital, Porterville and July 2006 – June 2011 Tulare Regional Medical Center, Tulare.

Was a member of the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities; served as Ethics Committee Chairperson at Tulare Regional Medical Center. Served as Hospice Chaplain (Optimal Hospice) - December 1996 - June 30, 2007, for Tulare, Kings, and Fresno Counties.

Certified Bereavement Counselor - completed five courses in bereavement studies at The Center of Loss and Life Transition, Fort Collins, CO, with certification achieved in November 2006. 

A published author for the Lutheran Church in America 1982-1983.  

Community involvements: Served as a Teacher of Parent University on behalf of Porterville Adult School and SVD from 2000-2004 (court-ordered adults and parents). Formed Porterville Area Wellness Service Inc.; a member of the Tulare-Kings counties Immunization Coalition; served as the president from 1999-2005 of the Bereavement Support Group Board, and a member of the All-America City Conference Committee, having secured a $15,000 grant through “Safe from the Start of the Porterville Area” (addressing domestic violence issues).

He retired at 75 ½ years as Chaplain on June 10, 2011, from Tulare Regional Medical Center, Tulare, California. He and his second wife, Gillian (married in April 2004), are members of Christ Lutheran Church, Visalia, CA.   

The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, January 13, at 11 am,

Christ Lutheran, Visalia.

From Bishop Jeff R. Johnson

Bishop Jeff Johnson joins with the other rostered clergy and deacons of our synod in remembering Pastor Bill Busch, giving thanks for his ministry over many years, and offering our spiritual support and prayers with his widow, Gillian, the community of Christ Lutheran, and all who surround them with love in this time of grief and sadness.

O God, our help in ages past and our hope for years to come: We give you thanks for all your faithful people who have followed the light of your word throughout the centuries into our time and place, especially for Pastor William Busch. Comfort Gillian and all who love them. Through the witness of his life and ministry strengthen us to follow Christ out into our world until that day when we too are called into the harvest of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (adapted from the ELW Pastoral Care)