Meet the Area Deans: South-West France

Rev’d Paul Willis, Area Dean for South West France, based in Tarn et Garonne

I grew up in the North East of England, within a Salvation Army family, and left school at 16. A few years later, I joined the Royal Air Force as a musician. During the mid 1970’s and then the 80’s, through to the Berlin Wall being dismantled and the peace dividend being implemented, I enjoyed many years of service in Germany, with my wife Gill and our growing family. While in Germany, I studied to become a Methodist Local Preacher, and in that role assisted Service Chaplains. On my return to the UK, I ministered on the local Methodist Circuit. 

In the fullness of time, I began worshipping at an Anglican Church, and was Baptised and Confirmed. Nudged to explore ordination in the Church of England, I was accepted for training on the Saint Albans and Oxford Ministry Course, being ordained Deacon in 2006, and Priest in 2007. 

I served my Curacy and Title Post in High Wycombe, where I was fully involved in setting up Wycombe Homeless Connection, and then, staying in High Wycombe, I served as Team Vicar in an Urban Priority Area with significant indices of deprivation, and chaired a community regeneration project funded by The Big Local. I moved to Reading in 2015, becoming Rector of a group of four churches, a position from which I retired in 2020. 

Gill and I now live full time in SW France. We have three grown up daughters living in the UK with their families, and we’ve been blessed with two gorgeous granddaughters. 

Oh … and I really mustn’t forget to mention Myrtle, our four-legged friend, who now has her French passport … she’d never forgive me if I did!

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