Billy Woodward

Derek Alfred Robert (Billy) Woodward, 89, who spent most of his life in Wootton Bassett, and died at a care home in Melksham, has been cremated at Kingsdown in Swindon.

Mr Woodward, who was known widely as Billy, was born in Wood Street, at a house opposite The Five Bells, which was his regular pub for many years. He was a member of the darts, dominoes and cribbage teams.

He never married, and in his youth he lived for a time with his grandparents, who were the last Chaddington lock keepers on the Wilts & Berks Canal.

Billy used to walk to and from school over Brynards Hill.

In later years he moved to Springfield, and then to Victory Row. He was a bricklayer by trade, and as an employee of local builders H Wallis & Co and Harry Pinnock, he helped to build many of Wootton Bassett's council houses.

He is remembered as a man with a wealth of information about the people, shops and goings on in Wootton Bassett, and the history of the town.

His funeral was attended only by a nephew's family. Sadly Billy's many old friends were unaware of his passing. He is remembered fondly by all who knew him.