Bill Hutchings

The funeral of Bill Hutchings took place on September 12th. Fr Mike writes:

Bill was a man who was helpful, generous and clever, and a man whose faith in God was both long standing and without doubt.

Bill was born

and brought up on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, and from a very early age, he was part of the church there. Throughout his life the church has been a major part, and he has been a member of this Church at St George's for over forty years.

Bill met Mary at a church youth cricket match and they have been married for 58 years. What a great achievement, and something to be thankful for.

Bill was a very competent singer. He sang in the church choir for 35 years, with the church singers, and with a choir in Drayton.

Bill was a very clever man, with a wide range of interests and a varied knowledge. Professionally, an electronics development engineer, first in the Royal Navy, and then with Marconi, GEC, BAE or whatever its name is now. He was heavily involved with St George's News, writing numerous articles over many years and photocopying each edition. His long running series of gardening articles in the magazine were picked up and reprinted in other magazines as far afield as Australia, and remind us that he was a good gardener. Bill also had a wide knowledge of people and places; he enjoyed classical music, and was excellent at crosswords.

Bill was a helpful person. He helped with the parent and toddlers group, with the plant stall at the Thursday St George's Market, in tending to the church photocopier, and printing our new orders of service.

Undergirding all this, his faith in God. Bill is now at peace, in the arms of God, assured of a place in the Kingdom of God. We can be thankful and relieved that the suffering of his illness is at an end, and we can take heart from his belief, his faith, as we pray for Bill, Mary and his family Helen, Peter and Clare at this sad time.