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Promoted to Glory
Lt. Colonel William Mcharg McHarg was promoted to Glory on September 28 from Vancouver, Wash.
He was born in Reno, Nev. on October 1, 1928 to officer parents, Captain and Mrs. William J. McHarg.
After graduating from high school, Bill entered the School for Officer Training in 1947 as a member of the King’s Messengers Session. In 1948 he was commissioned a probationary lieutenant and sent to the San Francisco Fillmore Corps.
After a number of corps appointments, he was assigned to the Alaska DHQ. During this time Bill became skipper of the MV William Booth, the Salvation Army’s vessel that plied the waters of southeastern Alaska sharing the gospel with area villages.
Following his marriage to Lt. Jean Bowyer in 1954, the couple spent a few years in Ketchikan, Alaska. and Twin Falls, Idaho. Bill’s DHQ appointments included: financial secretary, youth secretary, divisional secretary, general secretary and divisional commander. He served in every division in the Western Territory at that time. In 1966 Bill was appointed assistant territorial financial secretary.
He served in two overseas appointments: general secretary (now chief secretary) in the Mexico and Central America Territory (Latin America North Territory) and officer commanding for Spain.
Bill returned to the United States as divisional commander of the Inter-mountain Division.
The McHargs retired in 1993. Until the summer of 1999, Bill continued post-retirement service with the territorial audit department.
Lt. Colonel McHarg leaves behind his wife, Jean; three children: Debra Simpson, Carole Loyd and David McHarg; and three grandchildren.
Cards may be sent to Lt. Colonel Jean McHarg, 1500 N.E. 90th Avenue, Vancouver, WA. 98664-2477.
Brigadier Esther Ruth Wilson was promoted to Glory from the Mingus Terrace Nursing Home in Cottonwood, Ariz. on September 22.
Esther was born July 28, 1916; her father was a Methodist minister and her mother was a captain in The Salvation Army. She grew up near Prescott, Ariz.
Shortly after she graduated from Prescott Business College, Esther moved to Phoenix to work. After assisting at the Tucson Corps, she entered training in San Francisco in 1939 and was commissioned in 1940 with the Hold-Fast Session of cadets.
For the next 39 years, Esther served the Western Territory in four states: California, Idaho, Alaska and Oregon. She held appointments in corps, women’s social services, the School for Officers’ Training, divisional headquarters and territorial headquarters. In 1953 she attended the Brengle Institute. Brigadier retired in 1978 from her position as corps officer in Watsonville, Calif.
After retirement, she worked as a secretary for the Army in Ventura, Calif.
Over the years, Brigadier Wilson touched countless lives through her social and spiritual ministry. She is survived by one niece, Dixie Smith, and two nephews, Monte and Bill Kimbrall.
A memorial service was held in Cottonwood, Ariz.
Cards of condolences may be sent to Brigadier’s niece, Dixie Smith, at 415 E. Cottonwood Pl., Cottonwood, AZ 86326.