Bulwell stalwart dies (97)

Born and bred in Bulwell, Bill trained as an apprentice compositor in the printing trade and worked for a local firm.

During the Second World War, he was in the Royal Navy and served on the minesweeper, HMS Sheraton.

He and his wife, Molly, took over the tenancy of the former Scots Grey pub on Main Street, Bulwell, in 1960 and remained there until 1984.

Molly then suffered from Alzheimers disease and Bill devoted his time to looking after her until she died in October 1990.

He became actively involved in the Alzheimers Society and sat on its Nottinghamshire committee. He was afterwards elected to the committee of Nottingham Area Health Council.

Bill was a member of the male voice choir from the time they met for extra Thursday night practice sessions at the Scots Grey in preparation for competitions and festivals. He was an excellent bass singer.

In his younger days, Bill was a keen cyclist and thought nothing of riding to Skegness and back on the same day.

The head of five generations, Billl leaves a son, Trevor, three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Members of the choir sang three items at a service in St Mary’s Church, Bulwell, to celebrate Bill’s life.

In a tribute, fellow choir member Eric Ashby said: “Bill was a very caring man and gave his life to the community.”