Marlborough man Bill Dibley in his beloved garden

Bill was born in January 1925 in London.

He was a bright pupil, and attended Grammar School and was then invited to join the Navy at officer level, to train as an electrical engineer. He was a very excited young man when the ship he served on, HMS Dido, was the first British ship to establish a presence in Oporto, Portugal, at the end of the war.

He met his Dutch wife, Marianne Francesca Tichler at a party in Southampton, as he cut a dash in his smart new civvy suit! So, instead of pursuing her career as an air hostess, Marianne married Bill and settled down in Farnham, Surrey, where their first three children, Paul, Anneke then Jackie were born.

Bill, now an electrical power engineer moved with his growing family to Doncaster, where their fourth child , Janet was born. Promotion came again and Bill made his final career move to Leeds. Whilst in Leeds, Bill followed his passion for church music and became choir master for the Leeds Cathedral choir. He even introduced women choristers into the all male choir. He led the choir for many years. He stayed happily in Leeds until his children grew up and flew the nest and sadly, his much loved wife Marianne died.

Bill made his final move to Marlborough 18 years ago, to live across the road to his eldest daughter, Anneke.

He absolutely loved Marlborough and all that it had to offer. He enjoyed walking and discovering the beauty of Wiltshire. He joined the local U3A as a member and leader of various groups and he devoted many years driving 7 days a week for Link. He even managed to grow and care for more than 400 pot plants outside his beautiful home.

But mostly, Bill loved his family, which now include, not only sons and daughters in law but 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was incredibly proud of each and every one.

He was a wonderfully warm inclusive man, a charming and fun loving character and a very fitting patriarch for us all.

He will be dearly missed for a long time.......