[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S654-S655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO FATHER WILLIAM M. MOBLEY, JR.

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I stand today in recognition of an 
extraordinary, colorful lifetime of service and dedication by one 
individual who strove to make a difference in his community. Father 
William M. Mobley was, in many respects, larger than life; he was the 
type of person who several centuries ago would have typified the 
Renaissance man. He was a soldier, historian, teacher, playwright, and 
actor. But, in addition to his high intellect and varied cultural 
interests, Father Mobley was a man grounded in his Catholic faith and 
dedicated to the everyday concerns of his parishioners.
  He was known widely as Father Bill in Mukilteo and nearby Everett, 
cities just north of Seattle in my home State of Washington. It was 
here that he served St. John's Mission and St. Mary Magdalene Church 
from 1987 until his death this past Christmas Eve, December 24, 1996.
  Father Mobley came to the priesthood, and his Catholic faith, late in 
his life. Born on April 3, 1929, he was raised in Southern Baptist 
roots in Birmingham, AL. He was first introduced to Catholicism while 
an Air Force soldier during the Korean war, and converted in 1954. In 
1956, Father Mobley graduated with honors from Birmingham-Southern 
College, where he was widely acclaimed for his acting, directing, and 
writing abilities in the theater. Though he was offered a prestigious 
scholarship to the Yale Drama School, Father Mobley turned his 
attention to helping those around him. Influenced by this desire to 
serve others, Father Mobley joined Dr. Tom Barton, whom he had met 
while working at a hospital in Pell City, AL, and traveled to Green 
River, UT. From 1959 to 1970, Father Mobley assisted Dr. Barton in 
managing a badly needed medical center that serviced residents of Green 
River and east-central Utah.
  In 1970, at the age of 41, Father Mobley entered the Pope John XXIII 
National Seminary in Weston, MA. Unfortunately, soon thereafter, Father 
Mobley suffered a heart attack, the first of three he would have in his 
lifetime, and had to have open-heart surgery. While this would have 
been an insurmountable hurdle for a lot of people, Father Mobley rose 
above his physical pains and persevered to complete his ordination in 
December 1973.
  He then returned to Utah to serve in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. 
While there, Father Mobley touched innumerable lives and hearts, 
participated in charitable work, and ran a retreat house in Logan, UT. 
But the strains of his physical condition were taking

[[Page S655]]

their toll, and finally Father Mobley was forced to move from Salt Lake 
City, where, due to its high altitude, he was always accompanied by an 
oxygen mask. Although doctors advised retirement, Father Mobley chose 
to serve in the Washington Diocese in the Mukilteo and Everett areas, 
whose residents were fortunate enough to have been touched by this 
extraordinary person.
  Today, I celebrate Father Mobley as an active, energetic, and 
generous man. He was generous with his faith sharing, he was generous 
with his counsel, and he was generous with his enthusiasm and 
conversation. Father Mobley was a man of incredible passion and 
compassion. His friends, family, and parishioners will remember him for 
his soulful sermons and championing of social justice.
  Father Mobley challenged those around him to give and love 
unconditionally. This is a challenge each and every one of us can take 
inspiration from. He was truly a man who loved his fellow human beings, 
and he will be missed by those who had the opportunity to know 
him.

                          ____________________