A former BMS mission worker has received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from a university in India, with which he has been associated for the last 50 years. Edward Williams received his award from Serampore College on 6 February 2010, in Bangalore. He said, "this is a great thrill and honour, as the college is one of India's great and historic Christian institutions." Mr Williams was asked to preach the 'commemoration sermon' (that is commemorating Carey, Marshman and Ward who founded the college in 1818). He says, "I preached to a congregation of over 800, what felt like the sermon of my life".
Mr Williams continued, "This feels extra special because (my) grandfather Holman Bentley, from whom (I get my) middle names, also had an honorary doctor of divinity". However, he said that was for "massive scholarship (as a pioneer missionary, on the Kikongo language - Grammar, Dictionary, Bible translation)". In Mr Williams' case he says the conferment was more as a thank you to him and his wife for all that they have done to support the college since retiring 12 years ago. But, "My embarrassment at feeling that I had not really done enough to deserve the award evaporated as we realised how much this meant to those on the bestowing end. At the College, BMS means a great deal - and we are the last folk left from the time when the BMS contingent was substantial, and when there were missionaries in the ASC (Arts-Science-Commerce) department."
Mr Williams, together with his wife Rosemary, were BMS mission workers on the teaching staff at Serampore College from 1959 - 1968. Mr Williams' sister, Frances, was also librarian at the college for four years.