Bill Wadling a stalwart of Table Tennis in Essex has died at the age of 85. He began his involvement began in Ilford during the 1950’s where he was responsible for organising tournaments for the Ilford Table Tennis League. He moved to Essex County Admin and became Senior Match Secretary at a time when Essex were in the ascendancy Table Tennis wise with the likes of Chester Barnes, Bobby Stevens, Stuart Gibbs, Brian Brumwell, Lesley Bell all available to play for the county. The 1964-65 County Championship season with Bill at the helm saw Essex win the Premier Division for the first time. Since the start of the championships in 1947 only two counties had won the title, Middlesex and Surrey. Thanks to the stewardship of Bill, Essex would be the dominant force for the next eight years winning 6 titles during that time.  County records are a little sketchy around this time but we believe Bill continued as Senior Match Secretary for a further two years until 1967.
1n 1968 for his excellent endeavours with the County Seniors Bill received the prestigious Corti Woodcock Memorial Award.
Bill with his wife Jean, a very good Table Tennis player in her own right, moved to mid Essex and he took on roles with the Chelmsford Table Tennis League. He was also playing, at first for Hoffman’s and then joining the Essex County Council Table Tennis Club in the 1975 - 76 season, joining with Dave Platt, John Reed, Celia Fowler and wife, Jean. He continued playing to about 1988. Bill’s first match was against Britvic B and he beat both K. Purton and C. Watson and played the Doubles with Celia Fowler.
 
Chelmsford League roles at this time were varied.
Senior Match Secretary. 1986 – 87 to 1992 – 93.
Committee Member. 1993 – 94.
Vice Chairman. 1994 – 95 to 1998 – 99.
Competitions Secretary. 1995 – 96 to 1996 – 97. (Bill took over from Jean Wadling).
The Chelmsford League made Bill Wadling a Life Member in 1998.
 
Not content with Chelmsford roles Bill returned to Essex County duties joining Essex Standing Sub – Committees - Senior Affairs. 1988 – 89 to 1993 – 94 and Coaching. 1988 – 89 to 1993 – 94. He also returned as Senior Match Secretary. 1988 -89 to 1993 -94. Bill picked up the mantle with the Essex first team in Division 1A, in 1989 they gained promotion to the Premier, but they were relegated in 1990. 1991 they managed second in division 1B but in 1992 they won division 1B and were back in the Premier. With Bill still managing things they consolidated their place in the 1992-93 season ready for an assault on the Premier title last won in the 1979-80 season. He had some good players to call upon for this year, including Skylet Andrew, Steve Dorking, Cris Sladden, Grant Solder, Linda Radford and Shelley Ruocco. Essex were triumphant, unbeaten in their seven matches and 4 clear points ahead of their nearest rivals. Bill always said his proudest moment was Essex winning the County Championships. He was probably unique in that he was involved with two Essex county teams winning the title a generation apart. Bill stood down from the role in 1994 and was elected a Vice President for the 1994-95 season. In 1995 Bill was made an Honorary Life Member of the County Association.
 
To finish we give the report first published in the April 1965 edition of Table Tennis proclaiming the success of Essex.  Just one name missing from the Essex line-up, Bill Wadling, an important member of the team behind the scenes. Bill had an unquenchable enthusiasm for Table Tennis, with true dedication and a great sense of humour. Those in the Table Tennis community who knew him will be saddened by his passing.
 

ESSEX ARE NEW CHAMPIONS
ESSEX, with a narrow 5-4 win over Surrey, took the Premier Division Championship for the first time and broke a Middlesex run of five successive titles. Surrey put up a great fight with George Murray fully extending Chester Barnes, and a men's doubles far too close for comfort for Barnes and Bobby Stevens. Murray had a good match as be also beat Stuart Gibbs in a tight finish. Mary Shannon beat Lesley Bell over three games. The Gloucestershire – Middlesex clash for second place produced some excellent table tennis but only in the first set of the evening was a deciding game needed. Bryan Merrett had a set point against Brian Wright in the second and then put a hit off at 19­all in the third. Wright was the Middlesex star as he also beat Ian Harrison, in an encounter which produced some magnificent shots, and took the mixed doubles with Irene Ogus, deputising for Diane Rowe. Irene also won her singles, but Middlesex could manage no more.