William 'Bill' Childs (2 Nov 1936 - 7 Mar 2016)

A wonderful companion. You will be sadly missed.

On behalf of myself and my wife, Jean, I send our sincere condolences to Roz and family. I have many pleasant memories of Bill and he will be greatly missed. He was one of the most likeable persons I have had the pleasure of knowing. A true gentleman, kind, helpful and considerate. I first met Bill in the 60's when I was a student apprentice with AEI and Bill was my industrial contact supporting me with a College project. Eventually I ended up on staff in the same engineering department as Bill and continued to benefit from his knowledge and experience. Since Bill and Roz's return to Rugby we have crossed paths several times mainly in connection with Bilton Bowling Club for whom he carried out a lot of voluntary work. Many thanks to Bill for everything.

In loving memory of a fellow walker

Bill led the first walk we went on with the Ramblers he was so warm and friendly we joined immediately. may he rest in piece.

Sheila and Stephen

In loving memory of our dear friend, Bill

On behalf of myself and my Wife, Sandra:

We send our love and heartfelt sympathy to Roz and the family on the very sad loss of Bill.

I first got to know Bill as a work colleague at English Electric - AEI, - later GEC - Projects at Boughton Road, Rugby. Bill had a passion for almost every outdoor pursuit one can think of and his enthusiasm was infectious. I and several colleagues were soon involved in mountain walking weekends in North Wales and the Lakes - often in the winter - serious stuff with ice axes and crampons and sometimes not getting back to Rugby until the not so small hours of Monday morning - somehow we made it in to work just a few hours later! Bill, the late Stan Patrick and I also went on 4 day Youth Hostel walking tours when "simple" Hostels still existed in remote areas. We went in October or November - probably just because nothing else was happening then. The short days often meant walking in the dark - for instance on Exmoor or The North Yorkshire Moors, and especially in the rain, this was quite exciting! Whatever the conditions Bill was always cheerful - even as happened more than once - when, on arrival in the dark at a remote hostel, we found there were only small sooty hurricane lamps for light and the blankets were all damp!

There were also some memorable canal boat trips - ferrying "off hire" boats to Bill's Father who carried out boat rebuilds and engine overhauls during the winter. These trips were always "interesting" as sometimes there were engine problems and it was normally winter - boats had to be temporarily abandoned when the ice got too thick or canal maintenance work caused a stoppage. Water hoses got frozen, and someone once got an ear frozen to a cabin window. But there was always wine with dinner.

Bill recruited me to join the Ramblers’ Association in 1976, through which I met Sandra who was eventually to become my wife. Together we have enjoyed many walks and weekends with Bill, and in recent years we all belonged to a Wednesday cycling group. Bill was always cheerful and charming.
Bill’s charm was such that during his professional engineering career, he managed to build up a friendly relationship with all his customers – one of whom was infamous for his particularly aggressive and argumentative behaviour - anyone who dared to disagree would be banned from his site. Bill went sailing with him!
We have lost an outstanding friend who inspired and encouraged us and who could always be counted on. We will miss him greatly, but he has left us so many happy memories.

On behalf of Rugby Ramblers, in memory of our dear friend Bill, who made such a great contribution to the Group over so many years.

On behalf of Rugby Ramblers:

Bill was a key member of Rugby Ramblers (Rugby Group of the Ramblers' Association) and was one of our longest and most active members having joined in 1975. Over this period he led countless walks for the group, including walks for Ramblers Weekends all through the 1980's at Talybont-on-Usk (Brecon Beacons), then at Rhayader (Central Wales) and then at Ripponden (Calderdale, West Yorkshire). Bill also encouraged and assisted other walk leaders and was always ready to help out in a crisis. Bill's final walk as a leader was at the end of last November. In recent years Bill has also helped with Ramblers' social events held at Bilton Bowling Club.

For the last 10 years, Bill led our Footpath Working Group - a volunteer group of Rugby Ramblers, spending one day each month erecting kissing gates (often replacing stiles), waymarks (to point the way ahead), building footpath bridges over streams and ditches, and clearing thickets and undergrowth from footpaths and bridleways. This work all improves and encourages public access to the countryside and but for groups like Bill's, this would cease in this age of cuts to Council funding.

Bill will be hugely missed by all the members of Rugby Ramblers - always cheerful, helpful and charming - whatever the weather or the job in hand. He leaves us with many great memories.

Our deepest sympathy goes to Roz and the family.

Graham Bevan, Chairman, Rugby Group of the Ramblers' Association

We have great memories of Bill`s entertaining stories and his kindness during our Ramblers walks. Thank you Bill, you will be greatly missed.