Walter Gordon Hacker, 86, known as Gordon, lived in the Wootton Bassett area most of his life.

He was born in 1925, the youngest of Ellen and Albert Hacker’s four children. The family lived in Church Street, Wootton Bassett, and Gordon attended the National School in Station Road.

His father, a traction engine driver, also used to repair machinery for Edmonds, the agricultural engineers at Wootton Bassett, and Gordon had happy memories of accompanying him to local farms at corn-thrashing time.

On leaving school, he became a farm worker, and during the Second World War he joined the Home Guard at Lydiard Park, where he befriended many prisoners of war.

He and his wife Betty (nee Holland), whom met socially at the Bolingbrook Arms, in Hook, were married at Purton on March 25, 1950.

They relished long walks and cycle rides, pedalling to Charlton pond and as far afield as Bath on Sunday afternoons.

After a couple of years at their first home in Lydiard Park, they moved to Greenhill, Mrs Hacker’s family hamlet, before settling at Wootton Bassett in 1972 with their sons Bill and Ted and daughter Pat.

Mr Hacker left the land for a job at Blanch Lely, the agricultural machinery manufacturer, at Wootton Bassett. Later, until retirement, he worked at the St Ivel milk bottling plant.

Mr Hacker always enjoyed being useful. He was a quiet man of few words, and is remembered fondly for his compassion, loyalty, kindness, reliability and many practical skills. He had an easy-going nature, was good company.

He was devoted to his family, and his many interests included DIY, music, country life, following the hunt, home-cooked food and sport. He loved gardening and grew all his own vegetables.

After being widowed in 1996 he insisted on coping independently, took long, solitary walks and enjoyed spending time with family including his caring sisters-in-law.

Mr Hacker’s activities were limited after his first stroke in 2009. He is sorely missed by his whole family, including his children, five grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Tributes at the funeral, at St Bartholomew & All Saints Church, Wootton Bassett, included one from his grandaughter Leah, who said: “We love you and the happiness you have given us will last a lifetime. Thank you, Grampy.”

Memorial cheques, for The Stroke Association, may be sent c/o Maslin Funeral Service, 118a High Street, Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU.