Fond farewells to 'inspirational' Bill

Family and friends of the former Northamptonshire Neighbourhood Watch chairman, Bill Dredge, have paid their final respects at a heartwarming service at St Mary the Virgin in Roade.

Mr Dredge, who lived in Roade, died suddenly at the age of 68 on Friday, January 22.

People poured into the church yesterday to celebrate the life of a man who made such a difference to his community.

The service, led by the Rev Mike Burton, was conducted in a light-hearted tone which he said would have been "how Bill would have wanted it".

Fighting back tears, sons Dean and Darren, spoke about their childhood memories of an "inspirational" father.

Dean said: "I don't think dad realised how much of a big impact he made on my life.

"He was a major inspiration."

His sons talked about their father's love for Scotland and for the motor industry and described him as a caring husband, father and grandfather who always knew how to fix things that were broken.

Darren said: "We all know dad has walked up the stairway to heaven and heard the gates squeak and turned and said 'I have something in my pocket that will fix that'."

Friend John Gwilt said that his contribution to making the community a safer place to live was self-evident: "I miss Bill.

"He was a very caring man and his family came first. We managed to extend Neighbourhood Watch across the village.

"During his time he did an enormous amount of work starting up new schemes."

A poem recorded by his granddaughter Amy was played at the service along with hymns and songs including Morning Has Broken and Amazing Grace and the sound of bagpipes filled the air as the funeral possession was led out of the church.

Mr Dredge leaves his wife Dee, children Dean, Richard, Lisa, Darren and Tracey, and six grandchildren.

Donations can be made to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal, care of B Hollowell & Son funeral directors.

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