William 'Bill' Burdett Hemenway, 83

William “Bill” Burdett Hemenway was born in Presho, S.D., on April 14, 1940, the second child of Carl and Grace (nee Mueller) Hemenway. He went home to be with the Lord on May 10, 2023.

Bill grew up in Presho and graduated from Presho High School, where he excelled at the sport of basketball. After graduating from Presho High School, Bill attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, S.D., earning an associate of arts in the field of architectural drafting. It was during his time at SSTC that Bill felt God calling him into the ministry. He then began his education to become an Ordained Pastor in the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod at Concordia College in Portland, Ore., where he earned an associate of arts. He then attended Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Ind., earning a bachelor of arts degree. From there he entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., where he graduated with a master of divinity degree.

It was during Bill’s time at Concordia Portland that he met the person who would be by his side for most of the rest of his life, Susan Mercier. They were married Aug. 27, 1966. On paper, they didn’t make much sense. A farm boy from South Dakota and a city girl from New York City meet in Portland and make a life together for the next six decades. As Sue would say, “Must have been a God thing.” And that’s exactly what their life together was — a blessing ordained and guided by God Himself!

Bill received his first call into the ministry in 1969 to Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, Illinois. He served as the Youth Pastor until 1971 at which time he was called to serve as Zion’s Senior Pastor. In 1975, Bill accepted a call to serve as the Senior Pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where he served for the next 19 years. He was then called to serve as the Senior Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Costa Mesa, Calif., where he remained until his retirement in 2005. At each of these three churches, God used Bill for His Kingdom in powerful and meaningful ways.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Bill served on various LCMS district and synodical committees, including first vice president of the Northwest District of the LCMS, regional VP of the NW District LCMS, Mission Committee chair of the NW District LCMS, Parish Education Committee chair of the NW District LCMS, Board of Directors of the NW District LCMS, Sub District Director of Forward in Remembrance and Board of Directors Pacific Southwest District LCMS.

Bill also held a variety of civic and non-profit roles in service to the communities in which he lived, including the Board of Directors American Cancer Society, Board of Directors Exel Foundation, Steering Committee School District 271 (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho), Mayor’s Select Committee (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho), Kootenai Medical Center Ethics and Review Board, Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, VP Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Coeur d’Alene Rotary Board of Directors, Jobs Plus Board of Directors, Coeur d’Alene School District 271 Board of Trustees, Coeur d’Alene Homes (The Village at Orchard Ridge) Board of Directors, Hospice of North Idaho Board of Directors and Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Hemenway; his parents, Carl and Grace; and his sister, Helen Louder. Survivors include sons Paul (Karen) Hemenway, and Mark (Trayce) Hemenway, six grandchildren, Christian, Summer, Elyse, Matthew, Jacob and Sophia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

God gave Bill the grace to live in this world for 83 years. Now may He grant us the grace to accept his death as His Holy Will.

Bill’s memorial service will be held Friday, May 26, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 1700 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hospice House of North Idaho and Christ The King Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home. Online registry and condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.