THE funeral of a man who devoted much of his life to Crediton Parish Church will take place at 3pm on Friday, February 28.
Ernest William (Bill) Parr passed away suddenly on January 26 aged 94 years.
He was a bellringer at Holy Cross Church from 1968 to 2001, Tower Captain from 1986 to 2011 and one of the church bells bears a dedication on it to his long service in the current peal.
In addition, Bill spent many years winding the church clock before it was fitted with an electric winder.
He was also a long serving volunteer verger, Head Sidesman, Churchwarden and Governor, also Warden of Governors for some years.
In recognition of his service, he and his late wife, Margaret, attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 20, 2015.
Bill and Margaret, nee Loosemore, were married for more than 65 years.
Bill went to school at Landscore then going on to Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School.
He went to the technical college in Exeter for two years before joining an Exeter firm of civil engineers. After two years National Service, Bill returned to Harvey, McGill and Hayes.
Bill worked on many sewage and drainage schemes in the South West as part of his work for local authorities.
At Crediton this included putting in a road to the works that laid the foundation for Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, others included Torrington, Taunton, Tavistock, Barnstaple and parts of Cornwall.
Both are founder members and Bill is a former chairman of the Friends of Newcombes Surgery, now Redlands, Bill was chairman of Newcombes Housing Association, was a school governor at Hayward’s Primary School and a former chairman.
Both he and Margaret were founder members and Bill a former chairman, of the Friends of Newcombes Surgery, now Redlands.
Bill was chairman of Newcombes Housing Association and was a school governor at Hayward’s Primary School and a former chairman.
Four bungalows were named “Parr House” at Newcombes in recognition of Bill who was then chairman of the Newcombes (Crediton) Housing Association Limited.
The work on the bungalows was completed to a very tight schedule in order to complete them in time for Bill’s 80th birthday.
Bill and Margaret cut a celebration cake following the “official” opening.
Bill and Margaret had three children - two sons and a daughter, David, Michael and Vivienne, plus six grandchildren.
A much loved dad and grandad, the request is for family flowers only but for donations, if desired, for Diabetes UK and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Donations can be made in Bill’s memory at the end of the service or c/o A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton EX17 2BZ.