THE REV. WILLIAM E. PHIFER / 1909-2002

First Presbyterian’s first
leader had caring heart

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By Genevieve A. Suzuki
gsuzuki@starbulletin.com

The Rev. William E. Phifer, 93, founding pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Hawaii, died Sept. 17.

Phifer came to Hawaii in 1959 from the First Presbyterian Church in Monrovia, Calif. His first sermon was at the YWCA's Fuller Hall, where he assured his new congregation that the church would be there for them through the tough times.

The First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu built its permanent home later that year on a lot at Keeaumoku and Nehoa streets.

"We will remember him always for his love, humor, kindness, and intellect," said Rev. Dan Chun, the church's senior pastor. "Our church members stayed with him around the clock for three days straight before he passed away. He will be sorely missed."

When he retired in 1974, Phifer told the Star-Bulletin: "People are honest and good and kind, and my function in life has been to try to help them to see how much they can enlarge their spheres of goodness and kindness. I've had some interesting results."

Phifer was born May 13, 1909, in Brookhaven, Miss. He chose to be a minister in 1929 because he said he couldn't find another job after college.

"I've often remarked there are two things I would do again if I had the time to go over it again: I would choose the same profession and I would marry the same girl, if she would," Phifer said in a 1974 article.

Phifer and his wife, Evelyn, moved to the Pohai Nani Good Samaritan Retirement Community in Kaneohe in 1993.

"She was a sweet lady, and he took very good care of her. You could tell they were very much in love," said Patsy Tilton, a Pohai Nani receptionist.

Tilton said Phifer missed Evelyn very much after her death about a year ago.

"But he always knew she was in a good place," Tilton said.

He is survived by sons William E. III, Kenneth W. and Robert W.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother Samuel H. Phifer.

Services will be at the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at 1822 Keeaumoku St., but the time and date have not been set.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu for the Rev. William E. and Evelyn J. Phifer Memorial Lecture Fund.