To my Darling Husband Bill, You were a friend to boyfriend to Husband and soulmate. We were together for 43 years, we started dating 1978, you took me out on a date, we went to the cinema and out for a meal, this was at a restaurant called The Old Mill.

We broke up for a month to see if was really true love, we go back together, this is when we knew it was forever.  This is when you asked me to be your wife, to be together for the rest of our lives.  We never did have a engagement as such, as all the parties at your Dads and Mums were just to drinks after the pubs finally shuts.

In December 1982 was the day we said I do. In July 1983 Jackie was born, in September this very year we moved to our 1st home together.  In July 1984 Karen was born. June 1985 Stephen was born, in November 1985 we had the 3 children christened by the end of November 1985 Stephen Died due to cot death.  In September 1986 Sandy was born.  In July 1987 when we moved to Beckton.  In January 1989 Billy Jnr was born.  We lived in Beckton for 21 years. 

The 1st Grandson Joey was born April 2003, 2nd Grandson Kieran was born March 2004, The 3rd Grandson Callum was born August 2005 the 4th Grandson Stephen was born in February 2007 the 1st Granddaughter Sophie was born December 2007 in April 2010 The 5th Grandson Adam was born, in April 2013 the 6th Grandson Maxwell was born, in January 2014 2nd Granddaughter April was born, in June 3rd Granddaughter Joanie was born,  the 10th Grandchild it is another Grandson Archie was born October 2021.

Then we moved to Chelmsford in September 2008, Bill spent a lot of time apart from being at work in our front and back gardens planting flowers, building a fish pond with Graham and Billy's help.  Bill built our own BBQ he did such a good job, he built 1 for neighbour too.  

Then in March 2014 we moved to Devon this was just a stop gap, so we didn't do much at this house.  In December 2016 Fir walk was offered for us to view, so I accepted so we moved in between Christmas and New year, with all the families help.  Bill took pride in the front garden planting flowers, mowing the lawns, keeping it all neat and tidy.  Bill built a table to go in between 2 garden chairs we bought from an auction this is the 1st up cycle he did. so that we could sit outside in the warm weather.

The July 2020 you were feeling unwell so you went to your GP, who sent you to hospital for so test, this is when we found out your diagnoses of your prostate cancer.  They admitted you to hospital did more tests this is when we found you had secondary cancer of the skeletal bones. You stayed in hospital for 14 days. When you was discharged you had quite a few pills to take on a day 10 in the morning 4 at noon 2 at teatime 6 at bedtime, but you was still in so much pain.

So when you went to hospital for more tests they put your cancer tablets down to 3 a day because you suffering with nose bleeds and more headaches.

Then again you were admitted to hospital as you needed more treatment. So this is when the family helped by changing the living room into our bedroom. This is when you came home for 1 day when your left femur broke and you had a rod put in it.   

Sandy & Graham bought you a wheelchair, but this was damaged when it arrived so we used it twice to take you out for the day, but it was very hard to push as it had buckled wheeled.  This is when Graham set up a go fund me page for all your family and friends to help pay towards a mobility scooter so you could get around without help, to give you your independence back.

On 29th July this year is when you went for the start of your Chemotherapy, but you couldn't have it as you were too poorly, this is when we found out you had 1st stage of Renal Failure also Sepsis, so we was told on the 30th July to gather the family round as you wouldn't make through the night, so all our immediate family gathered as they said the net 24 to 48 hours was crucial.

You made it through, but had to stay in hospital so on your 60th birthday all immediate family gathered to celebrate with KFC for you we took photos when you was opening your presents, had family photos taken so it was quite a nice day for you.  You stayed in hospital 8 weeks being poked and prodded about you had had enough, you said you wanted to come home surrounded by your family to die in you own home, so the weekend before everyone gather at our house, we did a facetime with Karen who put on her wedding dress for you to see her in it you was so proud to see her in her wedding dress.  The following weekend all our family gathered to say their goodbyes, so you had your wish.  On the 5th October 8.40am you finally fell asleep for the last time, I had Jackie and Sandy with me.  So had to make all the phone calls to all the families to tell them the sad news.

So on the 29th October we had your funeral, you would of been so proud as Billy Ronnie and your eldest 4 grandsons Joey Kieran Callum Stephen carried you in to the chapel, I did your eulogy, Karen said a few words, Sandy said a poem, you had your coffin brought in to the song Time in a bottle, we had your favourite hymn Old Rugged Cross, and of course you had the song you asked for to be played at you funeral Stay Forever Young.  Then we had your wake at The Market gate, You paid for the 1st round of drinks so we made a toast to you. All the family danced to It Wasn't Me, as well as the grandchildren wearing armbands or hand bands with The words IT WASN'T ME.  Everyone made sure you were sent off with style and respect.