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Monday, August 28, 2017

Obituary: Dr. Storer William Emmett, 84, Houghton


Houghton --- Medical missionary and world traveler, Dr. Storer William Emmett, embarked on his final journey Friday, August 25, 2017.  Storer, referring to himself as Tody Will, was born on September 9, 1932 in Crystal, Maine, a son of the late Stora and Elva Main Emmett. On September 1, 1956 in Old Town, Maine he married Wilma Monroe, who survives.
When he was still a young boy, the family moved to Old Town, Maine where Storer became very active in community and church life.  He joined his first church choir at age 13.
High school accomplishments included being a track star, playing on the football team (resulting in becoming a champion church supper eater for necessary weight gain), participating as a valued member of the debate club, playing cello in the orchestra, and earning the top academic honor of his high school class. His greatest high school accomplishment, however, was courting his childhood sweetheart and bride to be, Wilma Monroe. 
Storer was saved at a young age and felt God’s call to medical missions as a teen.  With this focus in mind, he worked toward attending a good medical school and was accepted to Johns Hopkins in 1954 following his bachelor degree work at the University of Maine. 
After completing advanced training in medicine and surgery, Storer and Wilma, along with their daughter, Bethany, left on their first missionary voyage to work at a mission hospital in Southern Rhodesia during the fall of 1960.  Dr. Emmett also served as a medical officer for the government of Southern Rhodesia.  Soon after arriving in Rhodesia, Storer was ordained by the Reformed Baptist Alliance of Canada to enhance his opportunities to administer to not only physical needs but also spiritual needs.The next missionary voyage took Storer, Wilma, and their four children to Haiti in August 1968.  He worked as a doctor and frequently performed emergency surgeries at the Wesleyan hospitals throughout Haiti. His other ministries included traveling and preaching the gospel to churches all over the country. 
Dr. Emmett journeyed next to Houghton, NY where he spent 13 years as a family practitioner with the Northern Allegany Medical Group.  During this time he also served as the physician for Houghton College.  Always having a heart for missions, Storer, soon after arriving, established the Houghton Medical and Dental team returning to serve the people of rural Haiti on short term mission trips.
In 1988, Storer and Wilma, traveled to Sierra Leone on their third missionary journey.  Dr. Emmett worked at the Kamakwie Hospital and ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of the people there for three years. Storer’s final missionary journey as a full time worker for Wesleyan World Missions was to Zambia near Victoria Falls coming almost full circle to where he began his medical mission work.
During retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Emmett spent several months at a time serving in Haiti, Zambia, or Sierra Leone as needed.  Storer also became the director of the Wesleyan Medical Fellowship to encourage and increase awareness of medical missions.  His quarterly newsletters were always highly anticipated and enjoyed.  In appreciation of his 16 years as director, the Wesleyan Church presented Dr. and Mrs. Emmett with a trip to Myanmar where he was able to visit and participate in yet another medical clinic for which he was instrumental in founding.
One of Dr. Emmett’s great loves was gardening.  He had a garden and planted a tree everywhere he lived.  Storer loved the beauty (despite his color blindness) and creative expression afforded by the hobby.  This past summer saw hours of enjoyment of his flower garden at his new and final home in Cooperstown, NY.
Surviving in addition to his wife are their children, Bethany (Bob) Harter,  Esther (Will) Slauson, Bill (Sandy) Emmett and Faith (John) Fisk; his grandchildren, Brittany Harter (Ben) Keith, William Slauson, Wesley Slauson, Kendra (Andrew) Emmett-Goldwasser, Rebekah (Philip Tumbaga) Harter, Kira Emmett (Tyler) Logan, Kasey Emmett, Christianna Fisk and Alexi Fisk;  great grandchildren Caleb Keith and Seth Keith;  nieces Cathy Emmett (Joe) Stewart, Stephanie Emmett (Johann) Paschalis, and nephew Joshua (Angie) Emmett and cousins.
Family and friends may gather from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at the Kopler- Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee Street, Fillmore. A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 3, 2017 at the Houghton Wesleyan Church. Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant cemetery, Houghton.
Memorial if desired to: Wesleyan World Missions.