William Joseph LUNN

LUNN, WILLIAM JOSEPH (b. Melbourne, Vic 12 June 1896; d. Frankston, Vic, 27 Sept 1965). Missionary in Africa.

Lunn grew up in a godly home and worked with the Vic Education Department from 1914. In 1922 he m. Dorothy Kelly (1893-1939). They went with the Sudan United Mission to the Nuba Mountains, Sudan, in 1929. Assisting the pioneers Wilfrid and Lillian Mills they were stationed at Abri, where a school and a dispensary were run for the surrounding Koalib people.

The first baptism took place in 1938. After that the number of believers grew steadily at Abri and in surrounding villages. Lunn, who had an excellent grasp of the local language of Ngirere, took on pastoral responsibilities for the emerging churches. However, every new Christian was trained to read the newly translated Bible portions, to teach their contents and lead services. Lunn's work and that of his colleagues showed a deep respect for the local language and culture.

A son William Norman was born to the Lunns in 1934. After a brief illness of blackwater fever his wife Dorothy died at Abri in 1939, and he subsequently m. Florence Fletcher in 1943. In 1945 he was elected field superintendent, a position he held until 1954 and then from 1959 until 1962.

Sudan became independent in 1956, with a Muslim government. As the SUM realised their days in the country were numbered, Lunn helped identify Bible translation as one of the mission's main priorities. When SUM was forced to leave in 1962, the NT had been translated into 5 Nuba languages, the Ngirere translation overseen by Florence Lunn. The Nuba churches have remained strong and are still growing.

Lunn had been fighting lymphatic cancer for some years and died at his home in Frankston.

Lunn was a strongly evangelical Methodist but also a successful leader in at least one interdenominational organisation. He was a gifted speaker and soloist, who also took a delight in sport.

ELLEN CROCKER