Longtime missionary to Belize missing, presumed drowned (Updated)

Update: The body of Bill Amason was recovered Aug. 31. See our related post.
Church members across the U.S. and Central America are praying for the family of Bill Amason, a longtime missionary to the country of Belize.
Amason has been missing since Aug. 26. He was working at Amason’s Obabikon, a resort on Obabikon Bay in Sleeman, Ontario. Amason’s son, Jared, owns and operates the resort with help from his missionary father.
Jared Amason posted details on his Facebook page:

Bill Amason (photo via ambergriscaye.com)

Dad is missing and presumed to no longer be with us. He left the camp late Friday afternoon with a boat to burn a load of boxes. When he didn’t return an hour later, I went to look. I found his boat a half mile north of where he was supposed to be, and his clothing on the rock where he was burning. It appears that his boat blew off the rock, and he tried to swim after it, but didn’t make it. … The reality of the situation is that we’re now praying to be able to find his body. We’re also sending prayers of thanks for the 68-plus years that the world was a better place because he was here. Friday was also mom and dad’s 45th wedding anniversary.
If you didn’t know our dad, we’re truly sorry that you missed the most wonderful, caring, generous, honest, giving, sharing person that you could have ever met. Dad has never met a stranger and never missed an opportunity to hold a baby child. The love, compassion and understanding that he showed to every person was without judgment and with no prejudice.
Dad personally organized more than 70 mission trips to Belize, Central America, bringing medical, dental and spiritual help to the country. Many of his groups were 70 people and at times had more. The people that he helped in the name of Christ are uncountable.

Bill Amason is coordinator of Belize Missions, a church-supported ministry that brings medical mission teams to the Central American nation. I participated in a mission trip to Belize in 2006, along with longtime missionaries Windle and Barbara Kee and Dennis Cady and his family. (Here’s a feature I wrote about the trip.)
During the trip, Bill Amason took me to a prison where he studied the Bible with inmates. Our mission team also worked with a small Church of Christ in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. In 2005, the San Pedro Sun featured Bill Amason’s medical mission work.
We will post updates as they become available.

• Feedback
  I didn’t know Bill, but I know of that congregation on Ambergris Caye. It’s tough to lose a hard worker — we lost a Gospel Chariot Missions worker, a Malawian, not too long ago — but I take great comfort in the fact that the place Jesus has prepared for me won’t be too far from the place he has prepared for these saints. What a great meeting we’ll have some day!

  Bob Mathews

  August, 29 2011

  What heartbreaking news. We were Bill’s guests in Belize in June of this year, and his passion for Belize and her people was evident to all. May God grant his family peace in the midst of this extremely difficult time.

  Jim Holway

  August, 29 2011

  Bill was instrumental in getting me started in Belize missions a dozen years ago. There is no way to count the number of people who have been encouraged by Bill’s influence in Belize. He will be missed by his family and by dozens more in his international family

  James Hawk

  August, 30 2011

  As Director of North Belize Medical Missions, I had the opportunity to work with Bill on a few occasions. I know of his love and passion for the people of Belize and his desire to reach out to them. This is indeed very sad news. But this I know, we have an amazing God Who will comfort all. And even though Bill’s feet may never walk in Belize again, his footprints will be there forever. My heart and prayers go out to the entire Amason faamily.

  Bob Wolfert

  August, 30 2011

  I am heartbroken! Bill & Linda were my next door neighbors in Centralia, IL. My prayers are with Linda and her boys.

  Karen (Lambird) Schrader

  August, 30 2011

  So many Prayers & thoughts are rising to God for Bill Amason a dear friend & brother we met while living in Florida. We had the opportunity to work with the congregation in Florida where he served as an elder. His passion was Belize and his eyes would light up when he spoke about her and her people. He was always encouraging and truly loved mission work and spreading the borders of God’s kingdom. A huge presence for Christ will be missed in Bill Amason. Still praying for Bill and the family. We love you, Bill & the Amasons!

  Kathy Elliott

  August, 30 2011

  we are ONLY THANKFUL TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE TIME ON EARTH WITH BILL, AS HIS INSPRIRATIONAL SPIRIT WAS A BLESSING TO US SINCE THE DAY WE MET HIM IN BELLEVIEW FL ONLY 5 SHORT YEARS AGO. …UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN BROTHER…
  To Linda, and all the Amason family;
  we send MUCH LOVE and SINCERE SYMPATHY in your time of loss;
  always in His family,
  Peter and Deb Amaral

  DEB and PETER AMARAL

  August, 30 2011

  From Belize, we thank you bill, may god bless you all..

  Billy clarke

  August, 31 2011

  So sorry to hear this. Bill was my next door neighbor for many years till his family moved down to Florida. He was a real nice guy.

  Thomas Joy

  August, 31 2011

  Bill’s body was found today in Obabikon Bay, about 1:30 PM

  Debbie Hendrix

  August, 31 2011

  Linda the gteat loss you and the family are feeling must be overwhelming. Know I am praying for you all many times during the nights as I am sure sleep is difficult. What beautiful comments about his mission work. I remember he led the singing at daddys funeral on a moments notice. We so appreticated that. One of my favorite verses at times like this says (eyes have not seen nor ears heard nor heart imagined what God has prepared for those who are His.) Love, Doris

  mdminor

  September, 2 2011

  Thanks for Bill and the things he did. Linda and family, our prayers are with you. In Christian Love, Glenda and Walter McAlister

  Walter and Glenda McAlister

  September, 4 2011

  Tom England called me today with the tragic news. I was just thinking about Bill a few days ago and remembering fishing trips to Brazil and mission trips to Belize. Bill was a great friend to me at Eureka College and we kept in touch for many years. We’ll miss you Bill.

  Tom Rachow

  October, 3 2011

  I am a Nigerian, haven’t left the shores of this great country. So, i am among those who never had the opportunity of meeting Bill. But as a born again and kingdom devout, we shall all catch up with Christ when He will be revealed. My prayer goes out to those who are missing him, particularly his family and mission colleagues. May the peace of God abide with you all forever. Amen

  Monday Obaji

  February, 23 2012