Kenneth Arthur James Willats (11 Jul 1924 - 20 Feb 2016)

In memory of of my wonderful husband Ken

In memory of my wonderful husband Ken

Kenneth (Ken) Willats

Ken Willats was married to his wife Doris for 68 years. They had three children; Angie married to Pete, Sandie and son Tony married to Annie, who gifted them five grandchildren; Jason, Luke, Rehab, Donya and Nada and five great grandchildren; Josh, Harley, Page, Summer and Max.

Ken was born in Kent in 1924. His father passed away when he was four years old, which meant he was brought up by his mother, sisters and brothers. He went to school in Poole Court Hill and from the age of 11, he worked in the corner shop at Heavenly Bottom to help his mother, being paid in groceries most of the time.

Ken left school at 14 and with the outbreak of the Second World War, he lied about his age and joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 15. Being an avid sportsman with a love of football and cricket, he took on the role as physio therapist within the air force, helping injured pilots and crew with their injuries. After D-Day, Ken kept up with enemy lines helping build mobile runways as the war effort moved towards Germany.

On leaving the air force, he worked with his brother Jack at South Western Minerals where he obtained his A1 licence after which he then joined Royal Blue Coaches as a driver. He did all the overtime and long distance trips he could to support his young family, taking on painting and decorating jobs to make a few bob.

With an injury leaving him unable to drive, he continued with his painting and decorating jobs and took on landlord duties at the Starlight Club where the Folk Weave radio programme was broadcast once a month.

Ken also ran the Crown Club in Poole where he was always happy for unexpected visits from Doris and his children. Moving to Hamworthy Engineering, he progressed to head store keeper while at the same time continuing with his painting and decorating to make extra money.

Discovering that painting and decorating was his true vocation, he started up his own painting and decorating company with his son Tony through the help of family and friends, such as Brian Ash and David Wicks. Working with his son until he retired, he still kept his hand on the brushes, painting and decorating as a hobby and for customers that would have no one but the best.

Even to this day, he is still known as a master decorator both through his professionalism but also through the colour he bought to people’s lives.

By his son

I lost my dad on the 20th February 2016 but lost my mate and friend to this terrible disease Dementia five years ago.

Tony and Annie Willats

With Deepest Sympathy

Akemi and Richard

In loving memory of a kind Uncle and a dear friend
Eunice and Gerald

Rest in peace Grandad. I will miss you very much.