The Revd Alistair McGregor writes:
THE Revd Leslie Walters, who died on 10 October, aged almost 85, was one of the unsung heroes of the Church of England. I served my first curacy with him from 1969 to 1973, when he was Vicar of Immanuel, Streatham Common, in the diocese of Southwark.

At that time, he was an Hon. Chaplain to the Bishop of Southwark, a member of the diocesan stewardship committee, and a member of a working party that was transforming the diocese's finances, while carrying a heavy load of parish responsibilities.

He was courageous in his preaching on financial issues (never a popular subject) and in his encouragement of women's ministry. Yet, in the midst of all this, he had time to introduce me gently to parish ministry, and gave me the freedom to develop my gifts and interests. He did this with patience and humour, both of which he had in abundance.

Leslie was born in Hackney, and won a scholarship to Christ's Hospital in Sussex. After National Service, he went to Wadham College, Oxford, to read geography. While there, he came to a personal faith in Christ through friends in the Inter-collegiate Christian Union, and met Madeleine, a fellow geographer, whom he was to marry in 1956.

After graduation, he taught at Steyning Grammar School for two years, before training for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. After an unhappy first curacy, he became curate-in-charge of Emmanuel Church, Morden, under the redoubtable Tom Livermore.

In 1961, he became Vicar of Felbridge, also in the diocese of Southwark. During his time there, he oversaw the building of a new church hall and new vicarage. He played for the local cricket team, scoring at least one century, and on occasions slipping away from the match to officiate at a wedding.

It was in Felbridge that he developed his principles of parish ministry: faithful teaching of God's people; equipping them practically for service; and ensuring a sound financial base through Christian stewardship. He was invited to join a group of younger clergy in the diocese brought together by the Bishop of Woolwich, John Robinson. This connection led to an opportunity to spend four months with the Episcopal Church in California, and time to study at Berkeley Theological Seminary.

A difficult time for the family (now with three daughters) followed their return to England. Their middle daughter fell seriously ill, spending three months in hospital. It was during this stressful time that Leslie was invited to become Vicar of Immanuel Church, Streatham Common. During his time here, he oversaw the rebuilding of the church school and the creation of a new youth centre. He also served as Hon. Chaplain to the Worshipful Company of Drapers.

In 1981, he moved to Ilkeston in Derbyshire to be Vicar of Cotmanhay, where he oversaw the building of a new church, and was involved with the training of students from St John's College, Nottingham. He retired in 1992 to Norfolk, where he continued his ministry locally, and through involvement with the diocesan stewardship committee.

Leslie will be remembered for his sensitive pastoral ministry, thoughtful teaching and preaching, his great sense of humour (and awful jokes at weddings), and, above all, his integrity. Like many others, I give thanks for his influence, and would echo the words of our Lord, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."