Please pray for the soul of Monsignor Bill Nix, a former Diocesan Youth Officer, Vicar General and Dean of Brentwood Cathedral, who has died at the age of 86 in St Michael’s Care Home, Clacton-on-Sea.
Details of Mgr Bill’s funeral will follow once arrangements have been made.
May he rest in peace.
Obituary
Monsignor William Nix – usually known as Fr Bill – was born in County Limerick on 2 August 1940, the son of Thomas and Bridget Nix. He was educated at the Christian Brothers’ School in Sexton Street, Limerick, and trained for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Thurles. He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Brentwood in Thurles Cathedral by Archbishop Morris of Cashel & Emly on 8 June 1968.
His first appointment as an assistant priest was to Billericay (1968-1972), followed by SS Peter & Paul, Ilford. However, although he remained at Ilford until 1978, from 1973 he worked full time as Diocesan Youth Officer, leading the first youth group on pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1978.
In 1978 he returned to Billericay as parish priest, while also assuming the chairmanship of the Diocesan Youth Service. In 1991 he was appointed as a Vicar General of the Diocese of Brentwood with responsibility for the parishes in the London boroughs, having moved to Epping as parish priest in the previous year.
In 2001, on relinquishing the post of Vicar General, he became Dean of Brentwood Cathedral. His final appointment was as parish priest of Braintree (2009-2016). In retirement he took up residence at Harwich and subsequently moved to St Michael’s Care Home, Clacton-on-Sea, where he died on 4 November 2026 aged 86 years. He had been a priest for 58 years. Fr Bill was known for his great warmth, humility and pastoral kindness.
Requiescat in pace.