Born 17th May 1935 in Ilford to William and Elizabeth Wadling. Bill was an only child but was fortunate to have a happy child hood as his family were comfortable and he was able to stay with his parents during the war as not everyone was so lucky.
He attended Clarks School, Cranbrook Road, Ilford and South East Essex Technical College, Dagenham. Those were the days when certain parts of London were still Essex. Upon leaving the education system Bill’s first job was on the docks but a not a job that he particularly enjoyed and very soon he started working in the building industry which was to be his stock in trade for the rest of his working life.
Bill was an extremely gifted sportsman who was very good sprint hurdler, footballer and table tennis player. He did play two matches in the Southern League when it was the power house of amateur football but his athletics and football were cut short by a persistent groin injury and following the traditional man-up advice until he had done too much damage. However it did leave one sport that he would grace as a player and administrator of which we will hear more about later.
Bill met his future wife Jean O’Neill who came from a large warm and loving family who spoke loudly to ensure they were heard and listened to, as this was the only way. This can only have been a shock to Bill who was by his nature a quiet and softly spoken man. In addition being an only child he had quite a sheltered secluded life which was ideal for the O’Neills who schooled him in the art of playing cards, I gather he was extremely popular as he would normally be donating money to one of the O’Neills – one thing I would imagine Andrew and all his cousins have in common is all knowing how to play cards and you play to win.
Like everyone of his age Bill did his national service and it is fair to say that Bill has never been a reader or writer as most definitely not his thing. However during his national service Bill kept the postal service very busy writing letters every other day to Jean who was quite the opposite and in her comfort zone writing and reading. These letters were always something very special to Bill and Jean they were kept as very special momento and they are still kept today now as a special part of my Mum and Dad to Andrew, not his to read as that was their personal matters but I can see the box and it is a reminder of his Mum and Dad.
Bill and Jean were married in October 1957. They initially rented a flat before purchasing their first house in Ramsgill Drive, Ilford where they lived happily until 1968.
In 1964 Bill and Jean became parents to Andrew Peter Wadling. Unfortunately they had been unable to have children themselves but were able to adopt this little baby boy and give him the most wonderful home and loving parents.
In 1968 a decision was made to move out of Ilford and out to mid Essex to a new build house in Chelmsford – 7 Chestnut Walk which was to become the biggest part of their lives both as a home, happiness and friendships.

One of biggest decisions Bill and Jean were ever to make was to move from Ilford out to Chelmsford an area they were not familiar with and unlike today with the internet researching to find out everything was not so easy. They purchased a brand new house at 7 Chestnut Walk and were one of the first people to move in. It turned out to the catalyst for great happiness, very happy place to live wonderful friendships and neighbours.
There are so many great friends they made including Ann, Jackie and Laurie, Brian and Maureen, Graham and June and opposite so many more over the years. Dad lived in the house until 2015 that was 47 years and think it is fair to describe it as a very happy place a true home and neighbourhood.
Like many neighbourhood in 1977 the road held a Silver Jubilee Street Party that brought everyone together as so much of the country did. Enjoyed by all the adults and children alike.
For a few Christmases three of the neighbouring households Bill, Jean, Ann, Brain and Maureen held a joint Christmas with all their extended families in that one house became the dining area, one the adults chill and drinking zone and one house the children’s play area – upwards of 20 people most of the time as everyone’s families visited and great fun was had.
Along the way there was some hardships as Dad worked in the building trade as Chief Estimator and with the peaks and troughs of the industry there were a couple of occasions where his job was lost. This however proved his fortitude and perseverance in the ability to his calm and somehow keep going to find a new job so they could retain their dream of owning their own home. This possibly summed Bill up that hew a quiet and reserved character outwardly but internally he was a determined and steely character but never flashy or needing to show this to the world, just got things done subtlety without people sometimes realizing it had happened.

In May 1992 Bill and Jean were delighted to have their family extended with the marriage of Andrew to Kate Gower. Then in December 1994 the apple of Bill and Jean's eye, Amy was born. The excitement of their first Grandchild had Jean and Bill racing back from a weekend away in Eastbourne first thing on the Sunday morning to see their beautiful Grandaughter. Two years later in November 1996 their Grandson Matthew arrived on the scene. Bill and Jean relished spending time with their Grandchildren none more so that on Sunday visits for dinner where Amy helped her Nanna cook and Matt ran around at 100mph causing chaos. Their relationship matured as the little children became adults with Amy relishing visits to her Grandad and taking him out to lunch from the Care Home and Bill enjoyed watching Matt play rugby. 

Dad retired in May 1999 like may people of that era him and Mum had many plans for their retirement but with Mum becoming ill not all these came to fruition. However the holiday of a lifetime they achieved they went on a tour around South Africa including a safari and then had a weeks pure r and r in Mauritius, of which their photos, smiles and memories were all wonderful.
Sadly Jean Wadling passed away in June 2006 after having passed away after having been ill for a little while. It is a summary of Bill that Jean spent a lot of time in hospital over a 2- 3 year period but whenever she was in hospital Dad visited nearly every afternoon and evening. Then when Jean required dialysis he was the chauffer and waited patiently with Jean. He was a was truly wonderful gentlemen and dedicated husband who loved his wife dearly.
Fortunately Ann who had lived next door since 1970 and had always been very close became very special friends and this very much helped Bill to once again become happy and to continue enjoying his life. With Ann’s zest for life they were able to enjoy each others Company each day and enjoy many holidays and days out,  which meant most importantly he continued to enjoy his life and live it to the full.

A little blip along the way Bill had a quadruple heart bypass in 2011 and whilst this was major surgery it is truly amazing the NHS are in that within 3 weeks Bill was home. The odd hiccup along the way with medication adaptions but he returned to health and most importantly holidays abroad were on the agenda.
Bill was forever the sportsman and in latter life discovered bowls both indoor and outdoor joining several clubs and representing them locally in matches. He relished the competition and enjoyed moments of success but as always frustrated with himself if he felt he did not perform to his best he always felt he let his team mates down. It was a new sport he loved gained some wonderful friendships and brilliant social events which put a cheeky smile upon his face.
Also Bill had set up one his spare rooms as his painting studio as this was a gift that Bill had from a young age and now he had time to undertake. Taking trips out to various houses and landscapes to paint, something of great enjoyment.
Unfortunately in November 2014 Bill suffered multiple strokes and this unfortunately had a gradual dramatic effect on Bill’s abilities as despite 12 months of various rehabilitation efforts and despite best endeavours Bill moved into St Fillans Care Home, Colchester where he had the relevant full time care he deserved. Would like to express sincere gratitude to everyone at St Fillans who have been magnificent in looking after Bill the last five years, especially so the alst 12 months where Bill has not been so well or happy and achieving this in extremely difficult circumstances truly are the heroes of our current society. As always Bill still enjoyed tv and doing jig saws. However despite losing his ability to use his favoured arm Bill taught himself to carry on painting with his left hand, this was a tremendous achievement and gave home moments of immense satisfaction and moments of frustration as Bill still wished to maintain previous dominant hand standards.
Unfortuntaely Bill’s health did gradually deteriorate and the last 12 months had not been his happiest but now he is at peace and with Jean (probably forgot to take his hearing aids with him!!).

Very much like to finish on positivity of the life that Bill had and a couple of his favourite things were holidays and table-tennis:

Holidays:
Early on Jean and Bill were extremely keen cyclists and enjoyed cycling holidays in Devon it was a passion they both shared and really enjoyed.  This involved catching nthe train down to Devon then cycling around the beautiful hill countryside.
As time passed and Andrew arrived most years the family would take a weeks holiday for many years this was to a private holiday camp on the Sussex coast that the whole family enjoyed in the good old fashioned British holiday camp. Wonderful memories were made and shared.
In addition there were the B & B holidays to Devon and Cornwall and one year a trip to Bonny Scotland. These normally meant staying on farms and this worked well as Andrew got to work on the farms as he was something he thoroughly enjoyed and Jean and Bill got to wander the countryside in their own company.
Suddenly in 1979 a new adventure the Wadlings went international in the October half term Viva Espana “We’re off to sunny Spain”. Not in October it peed down for the whole week but it was great fun and a new culture to us all and whetted Bill and Jean’s appetite for future travels abroad.
This initiated Bill and Jean visiting many different countries within Europe and enjoying their summer holidays every year in the sun. Finally it led to them falling in love with Hotel Kissos in Pathos, Cyprus a location which they then returned to every year for many years making many special friends of the regular holiday makers and staff alike.
Fortunately for Bill after the passing of Jean he was able to continue this and share this holiday every year with his very dear friend Ann. In addition they visited Ann’s friends in Spain and had regular weekends away together in the UK.

Table Tennis:
Bill loved playing table tennis and played regularly in the Ilford league 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. 1n 1968 for his excellent endeavours with the County Seniors Bill received the prestigious Corti Woodcock Memorial Award.
Upon moving to Chelmsford Bill continued playing and enjoying his table tennis once in Chelmsford. From 1986 to to 1999 Bill held various admin roles for the Chelmsford Table Tennis League and was very proud and honoured when he was made an honorary life member. In addition to the Chelmsford League Bill became involved once again at Essex and held various roles from 1988 to 1999 being at the helm when Essex returned to the Premiership and then were champions in 1993, their first time since 1980. Bill was made an honorary life member of Essex County of which he was very proud and honoured.
Wonderful element to his table tennis involvement was that Jean also played and loved the game so this was very much an environment they enjoyed together.