William Harold Tiemann's Obituary
The Rev. Dr. William Harold Tiemann
Bill Tiemann was born August 27, 1927 on a farm near Seguin, Texas, the eldest of three children, to William Edward Tiemann and Helen Marie Willman Tiemann. His siblings, who survive him are Kenneth Edward Tiemann of Austin, Texas, and Helen Mary Kolb of Seguin, Texas.
After finishing high school in Seguin, Bill attended the University of Texas in Austin, where his education was interrupted by a 14-month stint in the U.S. Navy. Following this, he returned to the University and completed his degree in Chemical Engineering.
Working for a year and one half in this field, he then returned to Austin to enroll in Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Eventually, Bill earned three degrees from Austin Seminary. He served four Presbyterian churches in Arkansas and Texas, and was chaplain at Austin College in Sherman, Texas before coming to Mecklenburg Presbytery (now Charlotte) to be Associate Executive for Mission and Church Development from 1985-1994. During this time, he helped begin seven new church developments, served as one of the founders of Mecklenburg Ministries, and served on the boards of International House, Community College Ministry, and as coordinator of the Mexico Mission Partnership of Charlotte Presbytery.
After retirement from the Presbytery, Bill served several area churches as Interim pastor. In 2001, he was called to become Parish Associate for Davidson College Presbyterian Church, a position he held until December 31, 2011.
Bill was a “people person”. He loved to visit all kinds of people. At the Pines in Davidson, Bill never distinguished between Presbyterians and others, but had a kind word and heartfelt prayer for all who needed it. He understood that “as you care for people, they understand that you’re basically expressing God’s care for them.” The pastoral side of Bill’s ministry came into full flower in these years of service to the church he loved.
After a brief illness, Bill died at home on March 24, 2012. Bill is survived by his wife, The Rev. Dr. Rachel F. Haynes of Davidson, and his children from his first marriage, Karen Tiemann Blackwell of Kansas City, Kansas; Steve Tiemann of Arlington, Texas; and Andrew Tiemann of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In addition he is survived by two stepsons, Keven Haynes of Atlanta, and Nathaniel Haynes of Charlotte. Bill leaves two grandchildren, five step grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and six step-great grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held at Davidson College Presbyterian Church on March 31,2012 at 10:30 a.m. A private burial will precede the service in the church’s columbarium. Pastor Lib McGregor Simmons, and Associate Pastors Robert Alexander and Andrew Scales will officiate.
Gifts in Bill’s memory may be given to the Organ at Davidson Series, and the Stephen Ministry both at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, and to Hospice and Palliative Care Lake Norman.
Samuel S. James, Funeral Service Lic. Of Huntersville is serving the family. www.samuelsjamesfsl.com
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