Bill Malcolm

Reverend William John Malcolm (December 17, 1881 –October 9, 1970) was a Canadian Presbyterian minister, Boy Scout scout leader, and the grandson of the farmer John Malcolm. In 1901, He became a homesteader in Moose Jaw. Malcolm was drafted in World War I and served from 1917 to 1918. His brother, Charles Alexander Malcolm (1884–1961), was also a reverend.

Malcolm preached at several Presbyterian churches, including Beaver Dam First Presbyterian Church. He was also moderator of Kalamazoo Presbytery, being succeeded by Rev. Herbert G. Hurrell.

Life
William John Malcolm was born December 17, 1881, in Box Grove, Canada to James Thomas Bain Malcolm (1855–1937) and Elizabeth Ann Malcolm (née Mursion) (1859–1943). William Malcolm was a paternal grandson of John Malcolm, a successful farmer and entrepreneur.

Malcolm lived in Box Grove until 1901. That year, he took a 20 dollar gold piece, got on a train, and headed west. When he got to Moose Jaw, he decided to exit the train. Along with many other people, he became a homesteader in Moose Jaw. Another homesteader was Harry Elder. Elder invited his sister, Bertha Elder, to visit Malcolm. He and Bertha married on June 3, 1913.

Malcolm was drafted in World War I in 1917, and served from 1917 to 1918. During his service, Bertha contracted influenza and died about 24 hours later. After Malcolm's return, he married Bertha's sister, Nellie Elder, on August 6, 1920.

Career
During Malcolm's time in Moose Jaw, he would go back to Toronto each winter and work on completing his degree in divinity. He graduated from Toronto University as a Presbyterian minister. Later, he opened a bookstore. After he retired, Malcolm and his wife moved back to Three Rivers, Michigan, United States, where they spent most of their final years.

Family
During Malcolm's first marriage with Bertha Elder, he had three children:


 * Elizabeth (1914–2002)
 * William (1915–1997)
 * Ruth (1917–2002)

During Malcolm's second marriage with Nellie Elder, he had two children:


 * Barbara (1923–1993)
 * James (1925–2012)

Death
William John Malcolm died October 9, 1970, at the age of 88 following a "lengthy illness".