William "Bill" Carl Frey

Bill is survived by his sons, Paul Frey (Anne), Mark Frey (Ann, d.), Matthew Frey (Katharine), Peter Frey (Kristin) and daughter, Suzanna Day (Ted); nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; his sister, Judy Frey and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara and daughter, Kathryn.

Bill was born to Harry F. Frey and Ethel T. Oliver on February 26, 1930 in Waco, Texas and was a loving brother to his younger sister, Judy. He graduated from Lamar High School in Houston. While attending University of Houston he worked as a disc jockey and was thrilled to have interviewed Louis Armstrong and other greats. He later transferred to the University of Colorado and graduated in 1952 with a degree in Spanish. It was at the Episcopal Canterbury Club in Boulder where he met his beloved wife, Barbara Martin. They married June 12, 1952 and celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to her death in 2014.

Following graduation, Bill and Barbara moved east where Bill attended Philadelphia Divinity School. Their first child, Paul, was born their last semester of seminary.

Bill was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in Colorado, in 1956, and moved to Leadville, Colorado, where he served a series of small mission churches, the Timberline Circuit. Sons Mark and Matthew were born during this time. In 1958 Bill accepted a call to be Rector of Trinity on the Hill in Los Alamos, New Mexico. During this time Peter was born, as well as daughter, Kathryn, who died shortly after birth.

In 1962 Bill and Barbara were sent as missionaries of the Episcopal Church to San Jose, Costa Rica where Bill served Church of the Good Shepherd, and operated the Centro de Publicaciones Cristianas. Their daughter Suzanna was born in San Jose, Costa Rica.

In 1967, upon Bill’s election as Bishop of Guatemala, he moved the family to Guatemala City. Bill served as the first Episcopal bishop of this country from 1967 until he was abruptly expelled in 1971 during a volatile and turbulent time in the country’s history.

Upon his return to the United States Bill served as college chaplain at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and he also became active in the beginnings of Charismatic Renewal in the Episcopal Church. This experience of the power of the Holy Spirit transformed and shaped Bill’s ministry, fueling his desire to serve the poor, restore the outcast and draw others to the heart of God.

Bill was elected Bishop of Colorado in 1972 and served faithfully for 18 years. The overflow of his devotion to be more like Jesus led him and Barbara to create a residential Christian community to serve the Diocese and to inspire outreach to the poor. St. Francis Center for the Homeless was founded then and still thrives today. In 1985 he was one of four candidates for the Presiding Bishop of the American Episcopal Church, losing to The Rev. Edmond Browning.

In 1990, Bill accepted a call as Dean of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, a seminary in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, where he served for 6 years. He and Barbara brought their intellect, faith and humor to that setting to support the formation of evangelical, sacramental christian training and at the same time minister to spouses and families.

In 1996, Bill retired to San Antonio where he and Barbara were active in the Diocese of West Texas and continued to serve nationally and abroad on short term missions and as beloved retreat and conference speakers. They were members of St. Helena’s, Boerne and then of Christ Church, San Antonio where Bill served as interim rector twice at critical junctures in the church’s community life. He also served as interim Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande in New Mexico; he and Barbara traveled and served that region while in their 80’s.

Bill captured the vitality of his faith in his book Dance of Hope published in 2010. He also wrote a powerful memoir in 2012, Cancelada: Why They Threw Us Out of Guatemala.

His deep and abiding love for God, passion for the gospel, and work of ministry impacted thousands across the globe. He will be greatly missed by all, but no more so than by his beloved and devoted family.

Memorial Services:

Due to COVID-19 precautions, no public service is scheduled at this time. All are welcome to join the private service via live stream at 10:00 a.m. CST, November 20, 2020. A link will be available on the website of Christ Episcopal Church, San Antonio. Ccesa.org Thank you for your understanding.

Memorial Gifts:

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given in memory of Bill’s life to any of the following ministries:

Christ Episcopal Church: Sidewalk Saturday Community Outreach

510 Belknap Place

San Antonio, TX 78212

San Antonio Food Bank

5200 Enrique M. Barrera Parkway

San Antonio, TX 78227

Episcopal Diocese of West Texas: Bill and Barbara Frey World Mission Fund

P.O. Box 6885

San Antonio, TX 78209

Special thanks:

The family would like to thank the Assisted Living staff at Franklin Park, Alamo Heights for

their attentive help and care during Bill's last few years of life.