Sad news about a UK Butterflies member.

[PhiliB]

I received a phone call this evening from the wife of Bill Jones. She informed me that Bill passed away last Thursday after a long illness.
I would imagine that the majority of UK Butterflies' members would have crossed paths with Bill at some time during their pursuit of butterflies.
I first bumped into Willrow on Collard Hill during the summer of 2012. We chatted for many hours that day. Ever since that encounter we arranged two or three trips a year to meet up at various locations across England & Wales. Bill was always great company and was never short of a story or anecdote to brighten up the day.
For those that were not fortunate enough to have met Bill then a read of his diary on this website will give you an idea what a great character he was.
He will be sadly missed.

[Padfield]

Thank you for sharing this sad news. I only encountered Willrow through his posts but still feel as if I knew him a little.

Please pass on best wishes and condolences, on behalf of UK Butterflies, to his wife.

Rest in peace, Willrow.

Guy

[David M]

That's sad for UKB and devastating for me personally.

Of all the members on here, Bill was the one I knew best and I spent many, many hours in his company, including shared car journeys to places such as Whitecross Green Wood, Daneway Banks and Rodborough Common.

In fact, the last time I was with him was at Ewyas Harold Common last May, where he was his usual charming self, full of anecdotes and just a nice way about him.

He described himself as a 'good old-fashioned Welsh country boy' and that was evident as walking around with Bill was like having a human encyclopaedia at hand, such was his general all round knowledge of all things relating to nature.

Dragonflies were his principal love, but he was passionate about butterflies too, and I will visit many places in the future with a heavy heart knowing that I won't have the pleasure of bumping into him.

I noticed he hadn't been active since last summer, but this was the case the previous year only for him to return in spring so I hadn't considered it unduly alarming.

He always seemed fit as a fiddle, although I know he had an operation back in 2015. He was slim, durable and agile for his age and this news has therefore come as a great surprise.

I know there are a few others on here who had the great pleasure of spending time with him, and they will, no doubt, be as crestfallen as me to hear of this.

My thoughts are with his family right now who will be feeling so much worse.

RIP Bill. You were a true, upstanding gentleman and I will spare many a period of quiet reflection when I venture in future to those sites that were particularly close to your heart.

[bugboy]

That is absolutely tragic news. I only met Bill once, last year at Shipton Bellinger, and found him to be a charming, intelligent and very witty man. My thoughts are with those who knew him best.

[Rosalyn]

Bill will be sorely missed. Loved the banter in his diary and posts. He was a true gentleman, went to great lengths escorting me around his local patch. We spent many happy hours butterflying. My sincere condolences to his wife Meryl and daughter

[Neil Hulme]

This is very sad news, and a complete shock. I only met him once, at Collard Hill a few years back, and after just 30 minutes I felt I'd known him much longer, such was the warmth and openness of his character. It's often the little things that count - after letting slip that I'd come without any food he was absolutely insistent that I share his packed lunch.
I knew him just well enough to know that anyone who knew him better was very lucky.

[Lee Hurrell]

I only met Bill via his diary and my own posts, of which he was kind enough to comment on from time to time. However, it was clear from David M's posts about the time in the field spent with Willrow that he seemed like lovely company. This is reinforced by some of the comments here.

That's one lovely thing about UKB, we do all seem like one big family of friends and most of us will know how losing either will feel.

Thoughts are with all of Bill's family and friends at this time.

[Butterflysaurus rex]

This is very sad news, I only knew him through UKB, it's a real shame that I will never get the chance to meet him in person.
Being a fellow dragonfly enthusiast I was particularly impressed by his excellent web page: http://www.dragonfly-days.co.uk

Like everyone else I will miss his contributions here.

James

[Pete Eeles]

Thank you for sharing this sad news. I only encountered Willrow through his posts but still feel as if I knew him a little.

Please pass on best wishes and condolences, on behalf of UK Butterflies, to his wife.

Rest in peace, Willrow.

Guy

Well said, Guy - I feel exactly the same, given that he's a long-time member of UKB. It's a shame we never met.

Phil - can you please let his family know that he was a well-respected member of our community and will be missed, for sure. And thanks for letting us all know.

- Pete

[Vince Massimo]

I would like to add my condolences as well. Although I never met Bill, he came across as a real gentleman.

Vince

[LancsRover]

Sheila and I are very shocked to hear the very sad news about Bill, we only met him once, in 2013 in Haugh Wood, we shared a bench with him as we ate our lunch. He told me all about UKB that day and I joined a week or so later, thanks to Bill.
Every time we see a Wood White we will think of Bill.
Sheila & Russ.

[millerd]

I only met Bill via his diary and my own posts, of which he was kind enough to comment on from time to time. However, it was clear from David M's posts about the time in the field spent with Willrow that he seemed like lovely company. This is reinforced by some of the comments here.

That's one lovely thing about UKB, we do all seem like one big family of friends and most of us will know how losing either will feel.

Thoughts are with all of Bill's family and friends at this time.

Lee's comments echo my own feelings very closely. I followed Bill's posts and enjoyed them very much. He will be much missed.

Dave

[Neil Freeman]

I have just caught up with this news, very sad indeed.

I remember meeting Bill briefly a few years ago in Oversley Wood and in the short conversation we had he came across as very much an old school gentleman.
I very much enjoyed reading his personal diary filled with interesting and often humorous observations and when I started my own PD a few years back Bill was one of a number of people whose very kind comments encouraged me to continue with it.

He will be very much missed .

Neil.

[essexbuzzard]

We had the pleasure of meeting Bill at Fermyn a couple of years ago, and he came across as an absolute gentlemen, we chatted like we had known each other for ever. That was the thing about Bill, he was a pleasure to spend time with, whether you knew him or not. It is with great sadness that we hear this news.

Condolences and best wishes to his family, may the fact that he was so well liked be of some comfort to them.

[Wurzel]

I only knew Willrow from his comments on my PD and from commenting on his and I am gutted that I will never get to meet him in the field and enjoy butterflies with him.

Have a goodun Willrow, wherever this may find you.

Wurzel

[jasonbirder]

Sad news..never met him, but always enjoyed his posts and pictures

Only just realised he was the writer of the excellent Dragonfly-Days South Wales Dragonfly site...even more reason he'll be missed!

[jenks]

I`m shocked and saddened to learn of Bill`s death. I met him several times at sites in Wales and further afield. He was always great company and a great fount of knowledge on all parts of Natural history. As we both came from the same part of South Wales we had several mutual acquaintances and used to pass info on them to each other. I once made him laugh when I suggested we were like the Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough characters gossiping ! But there was no ill-will or cattiness from him, he was always kind and generous with his comments. I last had contact with him at the beginning of May 2016 when I emailed him seeking advice on Rodborough and Selsley commons near Stroud. His reply began "Good to hear from you my friend, hope you`re well. Your not bothering me at all !" and ended " Hope this is of some help" . It was better than that, it proved invaluable. Typical of Bill, always happy to pass on his knowledge and experience. As someone who started taking an interest in dragonflies and damselflies 2-3 years ago to broaden my knowledge of the natural world I can, as others have done, recommend his website on these creatures. I shall miss him greatly. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.

R.I.P.Bill Jones (Willrow).
Jenks.

[IainLeach]

Very sad news indeed. All the previous comments say it all and I don't think I can add anything. I had the pleasure of Bill's company on a number of occasions.

[PhiliB]

For anyone wishing to attend Bill's funeral, it is this coming Thursday, 6th April.

It starts at 11.15am, setting out from the Chapel of Rest, Lower Wood Street, Bargoed. CF81 8NW.
The service is at Thornhill Cemetery & Cardiff Crematorium, Thornhill Road, Cardiff. CF14 9UA. (Tel: 029 2054 4820)

I do not have an exact time for the service but I will find out from the crematorium or funeral directors tomorrow.

Phil

[PhiliB]

Further to my post of yesterday, Bill's funeral service will be held at 12.30pm Thursday 6th April in the Wenallt Chapel at Cardiff crematorium.
Rosalyn and I shall be attending.

Phil