William Edward Horley

William Edward Horley MBE (5 June 1870 – 2 April 1931) was a Methodist missionary and educationalist in Malaya. In addition to his missionary work for the Methodist Episcopal Church, many schools, both religious and secular, were opened in Malaya largely through his efforts.

Early life Rev. William Edward Horley was born on 5 June 1870 in Bloxham, and was educated at Bloxham School, and Harley College, a missionary training school in Bromley-by-Bow.

Career In 1895, Horley was sent to the Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore, founded by Bishop William Fitzjames Oldham as a missionary teacher, and in the following year was ordained in the Wesleyan Ministry.

In 1898, he founded the Methodist Girls' School in Ipoh with a Miss Towers as principal. It operated initially from an attap shed until it was moved to the Anglo-Chinese boys' school when it was completed in 1912.

During his career, he was also associated with the founding of the Methodist schools in Kampar, Teluk Anson and Klang and other places where, on and off, he served as school principal or as head of the district.

Death and personal life Horley married Ada Emily Hocking and they had a son and a daughter. He died in Singapore on 2 April 1931, aged 60. Horley Road in Ipoh was named after him.