Posted on 11/05/2002 10:10:45 PM PST by SMEDLEYBUTLER
LONGTIME EWTN Q & A EXPERT DR. BILL BILTON DIES Editor of The Southern Cross Catholic Newspaper in California
Irondale, AL (EWTN) - Bill Bilton, Ph.D., long-time EWTN Global Catholic Network employee and Leeds, Alabama resident died this morning at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, after suffering a brain aneurysm at his home yesterday evening. He was 58 years old and is survived by his mother, Peggy.
Bilton had been with EWTN for more than eight years, beginning his tenure in the Viewer Services Department where he served as Coordinator of Viewer Services. Because of his extensive religious and secular educational background, Dr. Bilton was named the first Dean of the St. Joseph's House of Studies, an undergraduate program serving the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word and located on the Irondale campus of EWTN. In August of 2000, he joined EWTN's Theology Department, where he was a Theology Advisor, answering hundreds of On-Line and written queries about the Catholic Faith, in addition to reviewing programs acquired for airing on EWTN. Colin Donovan, EWTN's Vice President of Theology, said, "Bill was a valued member of the Theology Department whose meticulous work was greatly appreciated. His colleagues and I will miss him very much."
Bilton received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Journalism from the University of Georgia in 1966. He received a Master of Arts Degree in 1977 from Canisius Jesuit College in Buffalo, NY and a Ph.D. in 1989 from Franklin University in Philadelphia. In 1970 Bilton joined the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, commonly known at the Eudist Fathers and Brothers. During this period, he was for two years in residence at Notre Dame University participating in the university's Religious Leaders Program. He later served for three years as Director of Religious Education for St. John The Baptist Parish in Buffalo, NY and in the same capacity for two years at St. James Parish in Solana, CA. He remained a Eudist Brother until 1984.
Professionally, Bilton held several editorial positions with both Catholic and secular publications. In the 1960s he was News Editor of The Columbus News in Martinez, GA and Entertainment Editor of The Augusta Chronicle-Herald in Augusta, Ga. From 1972-79 Bilton was Director of Public Relations & Development at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Buffalo, NY and from 1980-84, was Executive Editor & Business Manager for The Southern Cross, the weekly newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, CA. He was also a content advisor to the Catholic News Service's weekly religious education supplement, Faith Today.
A memorial service will be held later this week for Dr. Bilton at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Leeds, Al. followed by a funeral Mass in Augusta, GA.
Requiescant In Pace, Dr. Bilton.
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