Thanks Bill for the many Highland Cattle moments that can never be repeated and will never be forgotten. Jim and Brenda

Thank you Margo, Annie and Ann for inviting to attend Bill’s burial and it was a pleasure to attend and be asked to say a few words. I am sorry I rushed them yesterday. Here is what I had written and wanted to say ….. I was privileged to have them in my life for a few years as a youngster. I’m also his most amazing are daughters. I look back upon these years are some of the very important years of my childhood and where I learnt so much from Bill. I have too many fun memories of Bell to tell now, but most importantly, my memories of him centre on his kindness and his generosity towards me and my brothers, and my mother. Nothing was too much for him, even when we probably didn’t treat him as we should’ve done, he was kind that much more so he’s adventurous spirit and knowledge stayed with me. I remember the endless holidays to Norfolk learning about all the different wildlife and birds and climbing the bird hide. I remember the craziest holidays of packing up the car, which was a massive Land Rover with a Canadian canoe on the roof and a caravan on the back and driving across France with seven children to canoe in the French rivers and learn to wind surf on the west coast. Or go skiing in the Alps with a massive mixed family, but all somehow managed to get a loan, even if we fighting for space on the radiators for our gloves. As I said, I have too many fun memories of these years and adventures to tell. I wish I’d seen Bill as an adult to have shared how his love of adventure stayed with me I have managed to carry on with my own children again two daughters. We’ve been wild camping, walking, hiking, skiing, and many more activities. Thank you Bill I feel honoured to have attended your burial it was beautiful and so fitting

Bye Bill

I have been thinking of Bill this morning and am sorry I can't be with you. Bill was a larger than life character, unique, intelligent and hugely likeable. At dinner parties it was not unusual for him to show his pet ferrets and let them race up and down his trouser legs. As a medical student in full rugby kit he cut an imposing , slightly frightening figure but in reality was a kind, civilised, big hearted man who was a superb welcoming host who saw the value in a wide variety of people and exploits. We spent many happy hours sharing drinks in the medical school bar and Bill went on to become a pathologist which requires considerable intellect and dedication. He organised a happy party gathering for me when I left London and a welcome back party when I returned. He was a kind and generous host and a girl friend and I stayed with him in Wimbledon for a couple of cheery weeks. He was very much an integral part of our St George's experience and the place would have been much poorer without him. I am delighted to hear that he found happiness and purpose in a variety of ways.

Bill.... unique.... one of a kind.... so very kind. An endless fountain of knowledge on just about every subject imaginable, tapped by many, including us on so very many occasions. Hedgehogs, Bees, the birds and plants in our garden to name just a few, you inspired us in so many ways and for that, we thank you. We will miss you and think of you often Bill

Bill.... unique.... one of a kind.... so very kind. An endless fountain of knowledge on just about every subject imaginable, tapped by many, including us on so very many occasions. Hedgehogs, Bees, the birds and plants in our garden to name just a few, you inspired us in so many ways and for that, we thank you. We will miss you and think of you often Bill

Dearest Bill, What to say? What words are there left ? None, we have no words in the future - you left us too soon. I only knew a small part of your life – but - how you enriched us. I thank you for always managing to squeeze into your busy life a bit of time for our little problems. You always had a word for every situation; reasoned, considered and always right ! Thank You Why were we always trying to move heavy items that were too big for us to manage ! Concrete coal bunkers – it was too big and too heavy – but – you had to do it ! Thank You Don’t forget Hot Tubs ! What did we think we were doing ! Thank You You always pushed the limits Bill – ‘No’ was not a word that seemed to be in your vocabulary – I thank you for your positive and ‘it can be done’ attitude to life. Every day you filled to the max – everyday you lived – busy. Thank you for your example. We watched your commitment and dedication to nature – wished we were like you – smiled at your ‘eco warrior-ing’ – but you influenced our lives for the better – made us consider our environment and what we could do to change our bit of the planet. I had always hoped there would be more days to share – more days to debate. What debates we had ! Goodbye dear Bill – we will take care of Ann and often sit with a glass to share endless memories of you and your escapades. You have left the world a better place Bill, You have left us ‘better’.

Well, I don’t ever remember Bill in a suit! He always seemed to me to be happiest doing practical things from running a small herd of highland cattle, saving hedgehogs and surveying for bats among other things, usually with a smile and some witty humour. He was a great mentor to many people apart from myself on bat work and I have fond memories of the many hours of days and nights spent, especially in the Stanford Training area. He was always prepared to accept new technology and introduced me to the world of full spectrum bat analysis. I will always treasure the parting gift he and Ann gave me on my departure from Suffolk, they clearly remembered my love of Winnie the Pooh when I commented on a picture many years before. Rest in peace Bill. I’ll miss you.

Every time I think of Bill I have to smile or burst out laughing. Memories of ferrets appearing attached to his finger from under the table, evenings spent drinking "Black September", although I have little memory of these in truth and being banned from the Fox & Grapes after a cantankerous, curmudgeonly landlord told Bill he could not finish the last of his pint one evening, so Bill poured it over him! Never a dull moment. My life would have been poorer without you Bill. Cheers. Steve

Fond memories of our pony and carriage ride in the forest and of walking our dogs together now and then. It always makes me happy that Tinka, Freya and Russell are such good friends when Russell is rather fussy about his friends! Rest in Peace dear Bill. We will carry on enjoying trees for you dear man.

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Bill. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.