Commissioner Bill Luttrell, who served as the territorial commander for the Canada and Bermuda Territory from March 2000 to June 2003, was promoted to glory August 11, 2024. Born on July 4, 1938, he was introduced to Jesus and The Salvation Army through the Greeley (Colorado) Corps’ Sunday school at the age of nine. He entered the College for Officer Training from his home corps of Greeley as a cadet in the Courageous Session and was commissioned a Salvation Army officer in 1958.

Following his commissioning, Lieutenant Luttrell served throughout the U.S.A. Western Territory, first in corps ministry in Long Beach Citadel, California, where he met his future wife, Gwendolyn Shinn. He then served in Chula Vista and Southeast Communities Corps/Community Centres, California, before his marriage to Lieutenant Gwen in 1962, following her commissioning. He received the rank of captain in 1961.

Together, Captains Luttrell served at Redondo Beach and Inglewood Citadel Corps/Community Centres in California before a change of ministry took them to Los Angeles family services, where he served at the Army’s Manhattan Project, a residential treatment program ministering to young people struggling with substance abuse. Captain Luttrell later served as the men’s chief side officer at the School for Officer Training in San Francisco.

Remaining at the training college until June 1977, Captain Luttrell served subsequently as general secretary/chief side officer and then as assistant principal, where he orchestrated the training school’s move from San Francisco to Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

In June 1977, he served as divisional secretary at Intermountain Divisional Headquarters until 1978, when he returned to corps ministry at Portland Tabernacle Corps/Community Centre, Oregon, where he remained for the next three years, receiving the rank of major in 1979.

Major Luttrell was appointed divisional secretary at Southwest Divisional Headquarters before he returned to serve as a corps officer at San Diego Citadel until 1986. He also served as county co-ordinator for San Diego County.

Four years of divisional leadership in the Hawaiian/Pacific Division followed, during which time the work of the Army was extended to the Marshall Islands. In 1990, Major Luttrell took up an appointment as training principal at the School for Officer Training at Crestmont. He remained in this appointment until 1994 before moving to territorial headquarters as secretary for personnel. Here he emphasised the ministry to officers and their families, and to employees, and was instrumental in establishing the territory’s pastoral care team. He received the rank of colonel in 1995.

In 1998, Colonel Luttrell was appointed chief secretary, U.S.A. Western Territory, until August 1, 1999, when he transferred to International Headquarters in London, England, as international secretary for the Americas and Caribbean with the rank of commissioner.

In March 2000, Commissioner Luttrell transferred to the Canada and Bermuda Territory as territorial commander. It was from this appointment that he entered retirement in June 2003. In 2004, the General reactivated Commissioner Luttrell’s officership and appointed him territorial commander of the U.S.A. Western Territory. He retired from this appointment in January 2005 before moving to San Diego.

In retirement, Commissioner Luttrell took leadership of the Sierra Del Mar Division, on January 1, 2011, serving as divisional commander. During his retirement, Commissioner Luttrell often reflected on his ministry, finding his heart constantly blessed and refreshed by God.

Many people were influenced and impacted by Commissioner Luttrell’s ministry. He is lovingly remembered by Commissioner Gwen Luttrell, his wife of 62 years, their daughters, Laura (John) and Sharon (Fred), and four grandchildren.