17William Thomas Wiltshire was born at Callington, South Australia and is buried in the Payneham cemetery, Adelaide. His occupation was that of Minister of Religion in the Methodist Church in or near Moonta (York Penninsula) SA. Many of his descendants still live in South Australia.

In 1886, Reverend Wiltshire preached at a Primitive Methodist Sabbath School anniversary in Dawson on 26 and 28 September where there were numerous children. They sang at all services, “The Children’s Hosannas” dialogues and recitations were rendered, presided over by Mr Gray. Mr H Kennedy led the singing, Miss Kennedy presided at the organ.18

19Born in Callington SA, at an early age his parents moved to Moonta Mines and he spent a great part of his boyhood years and received his early education there. He belonged to a family of preachers, lay or ministerial. His grandfather the Rev William Wiltshire was a pioneer Primitive Mehodist minister in SA and his great-uncle John Wiltshire was the first Primitive Methodist local preacher in the Southern Hemisphere, and the first Primitive Methodist Society in Australasia was formed at his house in Adelaide on July 26 1840. From Moonta Mines W T Wiltshire removed to Adelaide while still a boy and continued his education, first at the Grote Street school and then at the Pulteney Street school, under the Rev W. S. Moore. The instinct of the preacher was in him and while still young he began to prepare for his life’s work under a private tutor. Although brought up a Wesleyan, he joined the Morphett street Primitive Methodist Church (Now Christina's on High St), largely owing to the infuence of the Rev. E. Masterman, who took a deep interest in him. It was from there that he entered the ranks of the Primitive Methodist ministry. From the first his preaching commanded attention, for he was a man of strong peronality and marked individuality, abounding in enthusiasm for his work. A brotherly man, who loved his fellows and never spared himself in their service, he formed many friendships which continued through life. As a primitive Methodist and after union as a Methodist, he served the church at Saddleworth (his first appointment in 1883), Kadina, Eudunda, Dawson, Laura, Gawler, Mount Barker, Queenstown, Moonta, Gumeracha, Meadows, Clarendon, Yorketown, Stirling East, the Western Suburbs and Brompton. Of cheerful disposition, with a strong sense of humor and virile mind, he was devoted to duty and lived a full life. Optimism was in his blood and was part of his mental make-up. He threw his whole heart and soul into his work and he was never deterred from entering upon any enterprise by the thought of difficulties to be met or of the possibility of failure. From the year 1898 - 1900 he was secretary of the Primitive Methodist Conference and he put into the duties of that office the enthusiasm which always characterised him. In later years William T had been mostly known for his association with industrial missions. After many terms of service in country districts he was impressed on settling down to a suburban circuit with the large scope for Christian evangelism which the factories and workshops in the metropolitan area offered and he was determined to do something in this field of opportunity. Beginning in this small way, he was delighted with the encouraging receptions extended to him when he visited and addressed workmen during the luncheon hour. Soon requests for his services began to reach him in numbers which made it difficult for him to comply with all of them and a little over a year ago (1924) he suggested that the SA Conference should follow the example set by the Methodists of NSW by appointing a minister to this particular work under the title of industrial missioner. He explained that he was not seeking the position for himself. It was for the Conference to decide who the missioner should be. This branch of his ministry had become exceedingly dear to him. He believed that better and more abiding results were accruing from it than from his ordinary pastoral duties and the Conference felt that if the appointment were to be made he was the man for the position. Owing to the shortage of ministers at the time the matter had to be posponed for a year, but the position of industrial missioner received official recognition. William had to combine it however, with ordinary circuit duties. At the Conference held a few weeks ago it was decided to held a few weeks ago it was decided to relieve him of his other responsibilities and leave him free to devote the whole of his time to this work. ”It seems particularly pathetic,” remarked one of his brethren in the ministry on Tuesday, “that he should be called away just at the time when the dream of years was about to be realised.” Amongst the many honorary duties which William undertook was that of SA editor of “The New Man,” the organ of the industrial mission launched in Sydney and subequently extended to this State. His many sterling qualities endeared him to all who intimately knew him. Until smitten with the malady which a few weeks ago laid him aside he was in every respect, physically, mentally and spiritually a robust man.19
At date of death he was the superintendent of the Brompton Methodist Circuit19