Bill Text: MS HC11 | 2026 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Bishop William Thomas (Bill) McAllilly; commend on service to the state and visionary ministry.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2026-02-19 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC11 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HC11-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Creekmore IV
House Concurrent Resolution 11
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE OF BISHOP WILLIAM THOMAS (BILL) MCALILLY TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
WHEREAS, Bishop William T.(Bill) McAlilly, a former and renowned bishop of the United Methodist Church who retired on September 1, 2024, has provided outstanding pastoral leadership, denominational service and visionary ministry that has positively impacted the United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Bishop McAlilly, a native of Mississippi, earned his bachelor of arts in religion, in 1978, from Millsaps College, where he is a member of the Millsaps Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 1981, he earned a Masters of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and due to his outstanding leadership, he also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Rust College in 2017; and
WHEREAS, having been ordained a deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1979 and ordained an elder in 1982, Bishop McAlilly was elected to the episcopacy at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 2012, and after becoming a bishop, he was given the task of merging two conferences to form the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church, and he was successful due to the merge being adopted overwhelmingly on December 4, 2021; and
WHEREAS, furthermore, under Bishop McAlilly's leadership, the Nashville Episcopal Area helped establish in the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Mama Lynn Center, which is named after his wife, Lynn, of 47 years and serves as a sanctuary for women seeking healing and restoration, and this center fittingly reflects the wonderful couple's shared commitment to compassion and justice; and
WHEREAS, Bishop McAlilly's belief of compassion for the least and last has also been exhibited in Mexico, Nicaragua as well as locally in the communities he has served and continues to serve; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his global leadership, Bishop McAlilly has served in various ministry settings in Georgia and the Magnolia State, some of which include: a small membership church, a new congregation, a county seat church, a newly organized congregation and a large membership church, and he has served in a variety of roles such as youth minister, associate minister and lead pastor, which is a testament of his ability to effectively serve in any role; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, due to his strong leadership skills, Bishop McAlilly was appointed to serve as the District Superintendent of the Seashore District of the Mississippi Conference in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and he worked closely with Disaster Response and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR); and
WHEREAS, furthermore, Bishop McAlilly has served in various capacities in the Mississippi Annual Conference, including: the Board of Directors of United Methodist Senior Services, Millsaps College, Mississippi Methodist Foundation, Board of Ordained Ministry, Design Team for the Residency in Ministry Program and the Development of the Transitions Seminar for Moving Pastors, and he has served as a delegate to four jurisdictional conferences and three general conferences; and
WHEREAS, for the 2016-2020 quadrennium, Bishop McAlilly served on the Connectional Table as president of the Board of Directors for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and he has also served as co-chair of the Endorsing Committee and served on the Council of Bishops' Leadership Teams on Leadership Development and on Leadership Discernment, and he served on the Just Peace Board of Directors and as a chair of the Quadrennial Orientation for New Bishops Committee; and
WHEREAS, notably, during 2016-2017, Bishop McAlilly served as president of the Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops, and served on the Southeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Coordination and Accountability and has served on the Board of Trustees of Emory University, and he is currently serving as vice president of the Board of Trustees of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Board in Memphis, Tennessee, and the Board of Trustees of Martin College in Pulaski, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, in retirement, Bishop McAlilly was appointed as Bishop in Residence of The Vanderbilt Divinity School, and in September of 2025, he was welcomed back to his beloved alma mater, Millsaps College, to serve as the college's Bishop in Residence due to his pastoral leadership and service and invaluable experience - all of which help provide vital resources to clergy navigating today's challenges in ministry; and
WHEREAS, Bishop McAlilly has been lovingly supported throughout his endeavors by his lovely wife of 47 years, Lynn, their children, Chris McAlilly and Laura McAlilly Paulk, and five wonderful grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize a remarkable religious leader such as Bishop McAlilly whose compassion for the least and last, as well as his leadership and legacy, which continues to serve as an inspiration for others as he remains committed to justice, compassion and service not only in the great State of Mississippi but globally:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Bishop William T.(Bill) McAlilly upon his pastoral leadership, denominational service and visionary ministry, and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Bishop William Thomas (Bill) McAlilly and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
