William (Bill) Richard Bornstein, 90, of Sanford, FL, peacefully passed away in his home on February 18, 2016, from a terminal illness. Born in Paterson, NJ, July 28, 1925, to Benjamin and Lena Bornstein, his family relocated to Rhode Island where he developed his love of the sea, fishing and Navy life, often watching ships that came in and out of port and watching sailors walk about town. The New England work ethic became his life’s motto: "It is not what you start that counts but what you finish." He was the older of two boys and his brother, Dr. Leonard Edward Bornstein, proceeded him in death in 2008. He was drafted into WWII in Sept. 1943, serving in the United States Navy as a Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class until an Honorable Discharge in April 1946. His Jewish father’s family had ties to more than 250 family members killed in the Holocaust. In 1949, Mr. Bornstein graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Emmanuel Missionary College, now known as Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI. He married Marilyn Eliene Fellows on June 4, 1950. In 1951, he graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Washington Theological Seminary of Seventh-day Adventists, Tacoma Park, MD, and by 1953 received his ordination. In 1984, he completed his doctoral studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, Thousand Oaks, CA. Bill’s life represents one of total dedication, devotion and service in ministry which spanned 42 years of active service with the North-American Seventh-day Adventist Church. His ministerial career saw him in parish work, evangelism, and administrative work in the following conferences – PA, OH, CO, NYC, Upper Columbia, ON, Canadian Union, and ended with the FL Conference. Retirement in 1992 saw him continue this Evangelism and guest-speaking work with the Florida Conference on a volunteer basis for the next eight years, after which time he settled down into a more quiet life with his loving and doting wife, Marilyn Eliene Fellows, of 65 years. They have one daughter, Bonnie Bornstein-Rodriguez, a son-in-law, Dr. Santiago Rodriguez, Commander, United States Navy, Chaplain Corps, and two grandsons – James-Ryan Rodriguez, 21, and Michael Rodriguez, 18. Donations in memory of Bill Bornstein may be made to: IT IS WRITTEN, P.O. Box 6, Chattanooga, TN 37401
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