The Rev William Downie was minister of the EU Congregational Church from 1983 to 1997 and presided over its 150th anniversary celebrations in 1996.

While at Carluke he was chaplain at Law Hospital, Roadmeetings Hospital, High Mill Primary School, Victoria Park School, Carluke High School and Woodhurst Nursing Home.

He was a stalwart of the local Rotary Club, where he was a member of council and chaired the vocational committee for a number of years.

As unofficial chaplain, he said grace at all 26 of the club's annual sportsman's dinners and was a big supporter of the High School debating competition. He also instigated the creation of the Probus Club.

A native of Larkhall, William studied at Glasgow University and the Congregational Union College, Edinburgh, where he received his Diploma in Theology and later added a BA degree from the Open University.

In 1967, he was inducted to the EU Congregational Church in Falkirk, linked with Avonbridge.

There he was instrumental in creating the first union between major denominations when Grahamston United Church was formed from Church of Scotland, Congregational and Methodist churches.

His eight years there were followed by another eight years at Dumbarton Congregational Church until he returned to his native Lanarkshire at Carluke EU Congregational Church.

William remained there for 14 years until 1997 when he retired to Larkhall, where he continued to conduct services and take funerals and weddings until shortly before his death on November 18.

In addition to his pastoral work, he was widely involved at local and national level in education, health and the military.

He was UK chaplain for the RAF Regiment Association and for the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Association.

For 18 years, he was social questions secretary of the Scottish Congregational Churches, work which took him to Ulster in the quest to bridge the religious divide and bring peace to the Province.

William also strove for better treatment of the elderly as chairman of the Scottish Pensioners' Forum and Age Concern's Spiritual Care Committee.

He represented Scotland on the UK Samaritans Council, helped found Falkirk Citizens Advice Bureau, and was vice-chairman of Argyll and Clyde Health Council.

A keen sportsman, he represented his RAF Regiment unit at boxing and judo and later played curling at Hamilton.

He was part of a Rotary curling team which toured Canada in 2000 and his membership of Rotary reflected his charges — Falkirk, Dumbarton (president) and Carluke.

He is survived by his wife Sarah (Cissie), four sons and nine grandchildren.