“The heart that truly loves never forgets”
We have countless wonderful memories of the times we spent with Bill, please help him to live on in our hearts by sharing yours.
Bill Shervell
1933 – 2011
“The heart that truly loves never forgets”
We have countless wonderful memories of the times we spent with Bill, please help him to live on in our hearts by sharing yours.
I loved Bill for his wicked sense of humour – the dry jokes followed by his naughty smile, his popping up in front of you with a wink and his camcorder at any gathering and the kindness and compassion he showed when Charlie was in hospital. His support, which he showed not in words but with hugs and petrol contributions to help toward the cost of the daily drive to Oxford meant so much. A special man whom I will miss dreadfully. Love to you all.
The last time I saw uncle Bill was at my wedding last year and he was his usual smiley self, chatting to everyone and of course dancing with my friends! I have some lovely photos of him from that day which I will treasure along with the memories. He’s with the angels now, joining Nanny E and Nanny F and Uncle Bob, watching over us. May he rest in peace.
Love forever and always, Sarah
I’ve known Bill for over 20 years, having met him when Jez and I were at college together.
My memories of him are of staying over with him and Doreen for a weekend in the summer – lazing in the lovely back garden that he and Doreen created, watching the dragon flies that his flowers seemed to attract. Laughter, naughty jokes (his speech at Adi’s wedding particularly springs to mind, although I can’t remember the details now!), and an incredibly warm, generous, loving, family man.
He’ll be sorely missed as he contributed so much to the lives of those who had the privelege to have him as a friend or family.
Bill was probably the kindest, most caring person I ever met. He would always be the first to help people and had a fantastic sense of humour. He was a truly fantastic father and wonderful Gamps.
I feel truly blessed to be his daughter in law. One in million.
I will never ever forget his comment about the size of my feet! 🙂
Thank you for letting me be part of your life and family for the last 10 years
I love you lots and hope you are looking down on us and have a smile on your face and a twinkle in your eye ! and maybe a beer in one hand and a garden shovel in the other
Give Ollie a big hug from me
Love
Vetty
Xx
I will always remember Bill as a man at the cutting edge of technology; the first friend’s house to have an extension! The top of the range hi-fi with “War of the Worlds” on vinyl (jealous!) The V2000 video cassette recorder (“This is much better than Betamax – you can turn the tape over”). The camcorder. The uptake of jogging before it was even remotely fashionable. The home-made ginger beer (although, thinking about it now, I’m sure he was trying to perfect an early incarnation of Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer). Although he did complain that his Honda Civic had “too many bloody knobs and buttons on it” when I saw him in the autumn! Doreen, Jez, Adi – love to you all. Rest in peace Bill x
I used to work with Bill at Airflow Developments in the 1980’s.
He was a lovely man – he used to make me laugh a lot, although he was very concientious and could get his point across (sometimes very forcefully). My lasting image of him is in the Publicity Office being quite straightforward (rude!) to someone on the phone, hanging up, then turning round to me with a wink and a laugh saying “well, someone need to tell him what’s what!”.
I am very sad to hear he’s passed away. The world will be a sadder place without him in it.
I can’t claim to have known Bill personally, but have been a friend of his son Jez’s since our days at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School.
Fate can be so very cruel sometimes. My thoughts, sympathy & indeed empathy are with Jez & family at this saddest of times. I could so very easily have been facing the same scenario right now with my family as my father had the identical operation a mere few weeks ago, at the same age! It makes no sense that one beloved family man has left & one remains.
I too remember Bill at my daughter Sarah’s wedding which was the last time I had a good chat with him. I shall never forget the dancing, Bill. And the waistcoat!! – Joseph would have been proud of that!
I have been saying a prayer for you.
So sad for you all Jez. I never met your Dad but from the lovely tributes paid he was a loved and treasured man. My heart goes out to you and your family. Sending my love. Xx
We watched some old cine films this weekend and although memories of those days are a little hazy and distant, we couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Uncle Bill with his long, black, wavy hair and ‘Michael Caine’ glasses and Aunty Doreen with her beehive!
Clearer memories of the long, hot summer holidays at ‘Cala Gogo’ won’t be forgotten and our family cars clinking their way back through France due to Uncle Bill and Bob’s insistence in bringing back every flavour of liquer Spain had to offer. Customs must have been a tense moment!
In the last two years we regularly passed Uncle Bill on his way to get his paper in the morning whilst we were rushing to school and we would always get a big smile and a wave.
We’ll miss you Uncle Bill x x x
The lovely man BILL. Mischievous twinkle in his eye, dry wit (with naughtiness thrown in), generous with displays of kindness and time, a quiet big presence and a loyal family man to list a few of his qualities. Always greeted you with a kiss and a hug and always had time for you. As Chris has described you could sit and have have a relaxing afternoon but then realise later you’d also been laughing a lot, subtle comedy!
Thank you Bill for writing mine and Chris’s wedding guests in calligraphy in our wedding album. Cheers!
Oh and Vetty, he was probably right about your feet 🙂 xxxxxxx
Message from my parents, who don’t do technology! –
“To Jez & family:
We understand that your poor Dad had the same operation that Garry had five weeks ago.
Why did this happen? We are tempted to say ‘Why not us?’, ‘There but for the grace of God…’ etc. etc.
Our hearts go out to you all,
With our love,
Mary & Garry
(Rich’s Mum & Dad)”