The Rt. Rev. William E. Sterling, Bishop Suffragan of Texas, died June 28 at his home in Houston of cancer following a long illness. He was 78.

Bishop Sterling was preparing to retire after a 23-year tenure as rector of Church of the Good Shepherd, Friendswood, Texas, when he was elected suffragan in 1989. Good Shepherd had been a relatively new mission congregation when he arrived in 1966. With the advent of the space program, the quiet little Quaker town of Friendswood grew, and so did Good Shepherd, which achieved parish status in 1977.

“He was a calling card for the church,” said Good Shepherd parishioner Marinelle Douglas. “Bill was very involved in a number of organizations in the community. Good Shepherd is still full of people he attracted.”

Born on Feb. 7, 1927, in Houston, Bishop Sterling spent most of his adult life in or near the city. After graduating from the University of Houston in 1949, he worked for several financial institutions before enrolling in seminary. He was part of the fourth graduating class of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in 1957 and began his clerical career at St. Mark’s, Rosenberg, and Grace Church, Houston. In 1960, he was called to be rector of St. Paul’s, Freeport, where he served until 1966.

During his episcopacy, he was especially active as pastor to the clergy and clergy widows. He retired in 1999 and became bishop-in-residence at Trinity Church, Houston, where he served until his death.

Bishop Sterling was preceded in death in 2003 by his wife of 54 years, Evelyn. He is survived by his son, William, Jr., of Austin, his daughter, Mary Sterling-Cruz of Friendswood, and three grandchildren.

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