Rosemary and Bills Story

They met by chance on the Clifton Downs in Bristol when they were in their teens and Rosemary was just 13. Dad walked her all the way home to St.George which is about 5 miles or so. They were happy together by each others side, for all those years until we lost Dad in 2017 and then Mum passed suddenly in June 2021. 

Both finally passed away in their favourite place on the Costa Blanca, Spain where they lived since retiring in the early 90's. They had such a great life for over 20 years there, in the sunshine and by the sea with each other every day.

When they first moved to Spain in 1992 dads new neighbour's christened him "Bill the drill" as he was always at something doing DIY. Mum just loved pottering in her garden producing the most most beautiful display of flowers and plants which were the envy of her neighbours. 

They just loved to sit on a nice cafe terrace in the sunshine most mornings together, ordering a cafe con leche, a toastada or just a couple of biscuits, especially if they were free ! looking out to sea and just watching the world go by. In the afternoons neighbours would often pop in for a drink at 5 pm for what they called a sun downer. They would go to the local Spanish market in Almoradi most Saturdays to buy fruit and veg from their favourite traders who would hug them when they appeared despite the language barrier. The same would happen when they visited various restaurants where they had been regulars for many years. I was also with Dad when he had his last appointment in the local Quesada medical centre before moving home after 20 years. His doctor, the nurses and even the cleaner came out to the reception and applauded him when we left. 

Dad as a boy went from making bikes with his best friend from scrap parts and selling them for pocket money, to his first job in the office of the co-op coal department in Bristol, then working as a sales rep for Rudrum's Coal Merchants, collecting money for the coal and fitting fireplaces or Parkrays as he called them at weekends to earn some extra money for the family, to eventually travelling the world  organising huge shipments of coal from different countries back to the UK to supply the power stations etc. At one point he even worked in the World Trade Centre in New York on the 90th floor, running a department for another coal shipping business. I never heard Mum or Dad even mention their achievements once to anyone which summed them up completely. Just a very special, humble, honest couple.

Mum was a fantastic Cook and also put her skills to use as a school cook at St.Stephens our local school when we were young. Mum supported us and Dad with anything we needed and had a knack of knowing exactly what was was really going on with any of us where ever we were and what ever we told her. As Karen said ''Mum just seems to know somehow, she is amazing !'' .  Mum Again when we were kids would also walk most days up and back to shop for groceries on Kingswood High street which was quite a hike for anyone. Later she passed her driving test and drove around in her her blue and white Ford Anglia and Hillman Imp Californian whilst Dad spent most weekends on his back under them making repairs to them in our Cul De Sac at The Twynings.

Dad was also an avid Bristol City supporter and season ticket holder for years with Fred, Rosemary's Brother who he loved and laughed with. Every Saturday afternoon until the weekend before we lost him he would listen to their results and curse when they gave away last minute goals as always.

He was also always laughing, the life and sole of a party at family or neighbour's get togethers until a few years ago when he sadly lost his confidence after some nasty falls. Mum was unexpectedly lost in June 2021 after a short illness but at least we know they are back by each others side again now.

Bill or William as the Spanish used to lovingly call him, along with Mum, always a smile when they met anyone, never a bad word and not complaining despite their health problems in his last few years.

They were always there whenever any of us needed anything over the years.

They had something quite special and a lovely character. People just liked them instantly. I don’t really know what it was, but probably their smile.

Love Kevin x.

“Bill and Rosemary are the nicest people we have ever met, and they made our life in Spain a joy”. from friend and neighbour Dorothy.

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