Remembering Bill

 The link for this week's worship service is : https://youtu.be/oQmxHnYBdGs

                                                       

                                                       Remembering Bill Richer

 

On Saturday September 26th, 2020, Blanche, their children Alan, Derek, Pamela, granddaughter Danae, and Pamela’s partner Frank along with friends of Bill, said good-bye as Bill’s ashes were laid to rest in the Garden of Remembrance. Despite the inclement weather and the restrictions of Covid, family and friends of Bill from the choir were able to sing with Derek, in their hearts, or into their masks, “Abide with Me”.

 Over the years, many members of the congregation came to know Bill as a friend, a fine artist, a regular and loyal choir member, illustrator extraordinaire of the “Shepherd’s Way”, which he illustrated for Blanche, and was published several times a year for many years. The heartwarming stories and the illustrations gave us all reason to smile and reflect on our many blessings. Many will not realize that Blanche and Bill produced, copied, and distributed the Shepherd’s Way, all as a labour of love, and a gift to members of the congregation.

 Bill was always a gentleman. He attended all the activities of the congregation and was loyal in his support. His paintings and sketches, often provided as gifts for fund-raising, were enjoyed by all and demonstrated his artistic talents.

 Bill was born in Guernsey in The Channel Islands, and, as a child, was evacuated to a safer haven when the German army landed on his island home. Stories of his life had to be teased out of Bill, often at the Thursday Coffee Hour, where he always sat with the gentlemen, solving the world’s problems. Bill’s good humour was enjoyed by all. Bill was a quiet man and his story of life on the sea was only referred to in brief… how we would have loved to hear more of his rich experiences.

Each one of us will have a special memory of Bill, and I felt privileged to know this quiet gentleman and his family.  Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

 

Rest in peace, good and faithful friend of SPPC.

 

by Roy Napier