The Rev’d William Pearman “Bill” McLemore came to St. Bede’s in 2022 and now serves as a Priest Associate in retirement. Bill was born October 14, 1937, to Ephraim Hester and Edith Adeline (Pearman) McLemore at West Point, New York. He joined and served in the United States Army (1955-1958). He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University in 1962 and a Master of Divinity degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1965. He was ordained a Deacon in 1965, and a Priest in 1968, by Bishop West of Florida. In 1963, he married Jacqueline Ruth (Spinks) and they had three children: Mary Kathryn (1965) William Tomlin (1967) and Christopher Michael (1975). His first parish was Christ Church, Cedar Key, Florida (1965-1968). His wife, Jacqueline, died in June 1996. Several years later, Bill met and married the Rev’d Lori Marleen Lowe, Rector of St. Mark’s, LaGrange in January 2000. In 2003, Bishop Alexander appointed him as a volunteer Diocesan Archivist which he held until 2008. Bill and Lori left the Diocese of Atlanta in 2009, and Lori served parishes in Maryland and Illinois. During his active ministry he served congregations in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. In retirement he served part-time at parishes in Atlanta, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Bill and Lori returned to Atlanta in January 2022 and purchased a home in Tucker. His wife, Lori, died on April 25, 2022. We are blessed that Bill shares his gifts for ministry with us at St. Bede’s.
