Reflections of High Council Commissioner W.R.H. Goodier

Commissioner W.R.H. Goodier

Commissioner William Robert Henry Goodier (1916 - 2016), was born May 23, 1916, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the son of William Norbury Goodier and Ethel Annie Hargrave. His great-grandparents were among the earliest pioneer officers of The Salvation Army dating back to its founding in 1865.

Soon after his marriage to Renee Laura Mae Tilley in 1936, the couple moved to Atlanta, GA, where the two were commissioned from The Salvation Army Training College in 1940 as officers. 

For the next 41 years the Goodiers served God and man through a wide range of Salvation Army appointments throughout the United States and Australia. While serving as territorial commander of The Salvation Army Eastern Territory, USA, in New York, he was a member of the High Council of The Salvation Army, the international leadership group convened in 1977 and 1981 to select a new General. Commissioner Goodier was elected president of that Council in 1981.

The Goodiers retired from active service in 1982 and moved from New York City to North Redington Beach, where they provided countless hours of volunteer leadership at The Salvation Army's Clearwater and St. Petersburg centers for 28 years. In 2010 they moved to Largo, and the following year celebrated 75 years of marriage. Renee passed away in February 2012.

Music was Bill Goodier's life-long joy and an important vehicle in his ministry. An outstanding cornet soloist, he also conducted Salvation Army bands and influenced countless young lives. In retirement, the Commissioner organized a band made up of retired Salvation Army personnel in the Tampa Bay area, whose annual series of concerts for church and civic events.