Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev William James (Bill) Behm, died 23 Jan 2006

William Behm was born on 2nd April 1916 at Jandowae, one of 11 children to Charles August Behm and Hannah Priscilla McMahon.
His primary school education took place at the Cunnamulla Convent, Nerang State School and St Augustine's Convent, Coolangatta. His secondary education took place at St Joseph's College Nudgee and from there he went to the Queensland Teacher's Training College. He taught at Burleigh Heads and Eagleby State Schools and at the same time began external studies at Queensland University completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in May 1940. In November 1940 he joined the Australian Imperial Forces and was a member of the 19th Australian Infantry Battalion. He served in Darwin, New Guinea and New Britain and was discharged in November 1946.
In 1947 he spent one year at the Victorian Seminary, Corpus Christi College.
He resumed teaching in 1948 spending time at various High Schools and joining the Guidance and Research sections of the Education Department.
His call to the priesthood was reignited in 1957 and he went to St Columba's Seminary at Springwood, then to St Patrick's College, Manly.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on 20th July 1963 at St Brendan's Church, Moorooka in Brisbane for the Toowoomba Diocese by Bishop Brennan.
Fr Behm's first appointment was as assistant priest at Stanthorpe from February until June 1964. From July 1964 to February 1965, he was an observer and assistant on the Matrimonial Tribunal at St Louis Diocesan Chancery in the U.S.A.
After a few months as assistant priest at Stanthorpe, he relieved as Spiritual Director at Banyo Seminary for two months and spent the remainder of 1965 looking after the parish of Enoggera.
Fr Behm was appointed to the staff of Banyo Seminary in 1966, lecturing in English, History of Philosophy and Epistemology. He was Bursar at Banyo from 1970 to 1972.
The year 1973 proved to be a crucial time in Catholic Education in Queensland. Vocations to the religious life were in decline and the advent of lay teachers inevitable. During this time there was an unprecedented parental interest in children's schooling. There was also considerable turmoil within the Church as a result of differing interpretations of Vatican II teachings. Toowoomba Diocese set up its own Catholic Education Office and Fr Bill Behm was appointed as the first Director of Catholic Education.
Fr Behm brought to this role a wealth of experience and skills. He had been a teacher in both primary and secondary schools in Queensland and had lectured at Banyo Seminary.
Initially it was intended that Fr Behm's role as Director would take in both the CEO and Religious Education. At this time he was also involved in Marriage Tribunal work. Trying to work within these three roles proved unsatisfactory and in 1977, Fr Peter Murphy was appointed Director of Religious Education.
The office of CEO began with a small staff of two assisted by Margaret Walsh, the then Diocesan Accountant.
As well as dealing with the growth of Catholic Schools and the issue of money from the Government, Fr Behm was faced with antagonism from parents during the transition from religious to lay teachers. In many instances, proposals for schools wanting to go co-ed resulted in fruitful and spirited discussion.
With the advent of lay teachers from diverse backgrounds, Fr Behm issued a Handbook for Schools encompassing the Philosophy of Catholic Education, Christian Formation through Catechesis and The School as Community; procedures for the governing and management of schools and the final section dealing with the administrative structures of the Catholic Schools System.
Fr Behm successfully created a structure within which the Catholic Education Office could operate. He did wonders with the staff and resources he had. His work as the "Founding Father" of The Toowoomba Catholic Education Office will go down in history.
He retired from this role in 1980 to concentrate solely on the establishment of a Diocesan Marriage Tribunal Office where he continued working until 1981, while at the same time having a significant part-time role in the Regional Tribunal Office in Brisbane. After 1981 he still did Tribunal work from home until 1993.
He relieved in parishes whilst performing all of the above roles.
He also spent time as Chaplain at Lourdes Home and in January 1993 retired to live at Nobby Beach for some months but returned as a resident to Lourdes Home in August 1993. Fr Behm moved into the newly erected units for retired priests - Vianney Village - in August 1996. At this time he said, "under the care and affection of Lourdes Home, life is not hard to take". On occasions, Fr Behm was able to assist the chaplain in the care of the residents at Lourdes Home.
Fr Behm had a great teaching ability and an analytical brain and was extremely clever at writing poetry and songs about people and situations. He was always a welcome presence at gatherings of the Canon Law Association of Australia and New Zealand. He was fluent in Latin and was often called upon to translate Mottoes on Family Crests. As well as this Diocesan Agencies often called upon his expertise to translate Latin Documents.
Above all, he was faithful to his priestly ministry, a man of prayer, a man of service and a leader of his people in no matter what role he served and he was always obedient to his Bishop no matter what he was asked to do.

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.