William Mitchell (15 Feb 1930 - 8 Aug 2017)

In loving memory of William Mitchell who sadly passed away on 8th August 2017

Bill’s parents were Alice and William Mitchell.

William, who was in the 1st World War, was wounded, the bullet passing through his arm and killing the soldier stood next to him. William received a War Victory Medal which was later given by “Bill” to Croydon Barracks and put on display.

Joyce (Bill’s sister) was born in 1925 and is here with us today.
Bill was born in 1930, 15th February, but sadly passed away on the 8th August 2017, aged 87 years.

His character as a child was always daring and was once caught climbing up the Croydon Gasometer.

He started school in Kingsley Road and as a clever, studious boy later went on to Lanfranc Boys School. War interrupted this and he was then evacuated to Barnstable in Devon for only 2-3 months as Frank another lad, who during their unhappy stay, (despite liking the man of the house) wrote to his mother saying that they were going to WALK home! On hearing this, Alice (Bill’s mum) frantically caught a midnight troupe train to go and bring the boys immediately back home to Croydon. On arriving, Alice was greeted by the lady of the house who made Alice wait on the village green until the boys were dressed and ready for their return trip home to Croydon.

Bill left school at age 14 years and immediately started work at Jablows on the Purley Way, and then at 16 years old he did his National Service in the army for 2 years in Utoxeter, where he initially met his first wife Pat. They had no children but Bill had a niece - Jennifer, married to Dennis who had two children, a girl named Lisa married to Stuart who now have 3 boys - Jai 19, Tyler 16 and Ashton 9. They also had a son named Brian married to Madeleine who now have 2 children – Ethen 10 and Freya 7 and the family are currently living in Queensland, Australia but sadly they cannot be here with us today. Bill loved them all dearly as his very own, with the younger children often calling him “grandad”.

In Bill’s youth, he was a very outgoing athletic person, joining the “Boys Club” in Mitcham Road, Croydon and having many outings to places such as the Isle of Wight and other such places.

Bill initially bought a moped on which he used to take his sister Joyce to see Chelsea Football Club play. Given he was very tall and big in stature; this would surely have been a sight to behold. He later had sports cars the like of a Ford Capri thus being the envy of his street. And, yes he was “pulled over” by the police on several occasions.

Bill had a variety of jobs in his life being a trainee panel beater, working in a Bar and a Bookmaker. Finally becoming a successful precision engineer working at Erwin’s on the Purley Way for over 20 years, making precision parts for the army, until he retired. But later returning for a short spell, driving the lorry to deliver goods, just for fun days out with Queenie and Fred their little Yorkshire Terrier.

Bill also had another deep passion for sport, being of athletic build and stamina. Socially, he played Cycle Polo at Crystal Palace and was a life-long Chelsea football supporter. Today he would be classed in the league of a “semi-professional” football player. He then went on to become a football referee and then a football referee inspector. One Christmas Eve he played a game of football and Christmas day he was at home but on Boxing Day he played football again, having also visited hospital in between, due to injuries!!!

His achievement in the game of Bowls was remarkable, joining Cane Hill and we believe winning his Croydon Borough Badge and Surrey County Badge at Croydon Gas Bowling Club before joining Croydon Bowling Club in 1975 which he remained at. In 1982 he won the London and Southern Counties Bowling Association 4’s, and between 1978 and 1981 for the Indoor Bowling, he also won Surrey 4’s Cyphers 4’s, Eastbourne 4’s and Cyphers 4’s again. Many of his trophies have been on display in his club and also at his home.

Bill also loved fishing from rocks by the sea and was a very strong swimmer. He loved diving into the sea from the highest rocks and then swimming off into the blue waters of the Mediterranean. This he did on many of his various holidays, which he had enjoyed since his early years, long before package holidays were so popular. He also went unaccompanied to many other holidays abroad and as he was such a good singer too, sang in the Bars where they would then not charge him. One of his favourite songs was “Mack the Knife”.

He met Queenie, his second wife while they were both working at Prototype’s and they later married when he was 61 years old. Queenie already had two daughters, Lesley who has a daughter –Ashley and married to Richard. Also, another daughter Paula who has a son – Scott, married to Erin who have 2 children – Oliver 5 and Lily 2. They all added to his expanding family.

Bill and Queenie continued to have many, many holidays through their 26 years of marriage, all over the Mediterranean and as far as Goa where they holidayed for 5-6 weeks for a few years, until their health deteriorated with age and Queenie’s breathing became too poor.

However, Bill did not just sit about, he then walked their little dog Fred, 4 times a day, just as he had previously done with “Happy” their first Yorkshire Terrier, over the park until with only 3 working legs and no teeth Fred sadly passed away, just as Happy had done a number of years before. Then sadly two and a quarter years ago Queenie also passed away, just after their Silver Wedding Anniversary and it was now time for Bill to slow down. They are all now happily re-united together again.

Finally, Bill was a very driven man who was unique in his own way, right to the end. He made us all shake our heads but with a smile and he will always be remembered.

Rest in peace Bill XXX