Rev. William W. Lanphear

Rev. William W. Lanphear O.S.F.S. December 16, 1937 - June 19, 2008 Father William (Bill) Lanphear, O.S.F.S., a member of the Toledo-Detroit Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, died on June 19, 2008 following a brief illness. He was 70 years old. Father Lanphear was born in Buffalo New York on December 16, 1937, the son of Walter E and Eileen Kane Lanphear both of whom preceded him in death. He was educated in the Buffalo Catholic schools and graduated from St. Bonaventure University in Olean New York in 1959. He studied for the priesthood at the American College in Louvian Belgium and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Buffalo in Louvain on June 29, 1963. Father Lanphear served as a parish priest at Queen of Martyrs Parish Buffalo, Holy Trinity in Dunkirk and St. Bernard's Buffalo. In 1974 he began teaching and chaplaincy work at the former DeSales Catholic High School in Lockport. In 1982 he moved to Lumen Christi High School in Jackson Michigan where he taught for three years . In 1985 he received permission from the Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo to begin a transfer from the Diocese to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He professed his First Vows as an Oblate in 1987 and his Perpetual Vows on July 19, 1990. Following his Perpetual Profession Father Lanphear served as chaplain to the University Parish of Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti and then most recently he joined the Pastoral Care Department of St. Joseph's Hospital Ann Arbor while also serving on the weekends at the University parish in Ann Aarbor. In addition to his Oblate community Father Lanphear is also survived by his brothers, Thomas of Atlanta Georgia, James (Carol) of Williamsville New York, Paul (Sharon) of Buffalo New York and a sister Rosemary (Gerald) Ognibene of Woodbury New Jersey as well as the following nieces and nephews, Dr. Larry (Marivic) Ognibene, Sheri (Rich) Burns, Christopher (Karen) Ognibene, Marc Ognibene, Kevin Ognibene, Andrew, Joel and Jeffrey Lanphear, Aimee (Steve) Wdowka, Katie Lanphear and Laura (Steve) Gaydos. The funeral will take place at St. Mary's Parish, 331 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor Michigan 48104 beginning with a Rite of Reception of the Body on Sunday evening June 22, 2008 at 7:00p.m. Viewing will continue until 9:00p.m. The viewing will continue Monday morning at 9:30a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the Oblate section of Resurrection cemetery Toledo Ohio. A special Memorial Mass will be celebrated in the Buffalo area at a future date. For those who wish, memorials in honor of Father Bill may be made to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Retirement Fund, 2043 Parkside Blvd. Toledo Ohio 43607.