Napier City Petanque Club Inc. is sad to announce the passing away of Bill Billings. Bill passed away peacefully at home on th 9th December 2010. He had been a member of the club since its early days and was the first to be awarded Life Membership of the club. He was still playing the game of petanque that he loved right up until 10 days ago. He will be sadly missed.-Barbara Lucas
5 comments:
Bill was a good man. On the piste he was always ready to talk to people, provided of course he was not playing. And playing he could - he was successful, competitive and took his games very serious.
For the wider Napier petanque community it will be especially difficult to no longer have Bill around. This will take time and my thoughts are with you all.
Go well Bill.
Condolences to you all in Napier City Petanque Club.
From the members of the Vikings Club Petanque Club.
Georgio Vakauta
Club President
Without any doubt, gentleman Bill Billing, was held in high esteem both in NZ petanque circles and the wider community at large! True testimony to this was the vast numbers of peoples that attended Bill's funeral service from throughout NZ, so ably conducted by his eldest son Tony, and the affection, respect and admiration, for Bill, expressed by the several speakers present.
Bill was recognised as a hard working straight- up toiler sort of person from the old school. Someone you could always rely on. A doer not a waffler. So it was no coincidence, that although he and Ngaire lived in Havelock North, some 12 kms away) Bill was a "foundation" member of the 13 year old Napier Petanque Club. For all his "tireless" hard work, he was also the Club's very first, well deserved, Life Member. But Bill being Bill refused to lay down and take it easy -it just wasn't in his nature -same as the word can't wasn't in his vocabulary. And Bill being Bill, not withstanding all that he and Ngaire had donated to the Club over the years............................. still insisted on paying his subs. Both Bill & Ngaire still continued to serve on committees (can't keep a good man or woman down) and took a big part in organising the H B Classic Competition that so many of you enjoy participating in. Matter of fact, although unwell, Bill was our Club's Treasurer right up to our recent AGM. So it's little wonder our Club's finances are in such good shape.
I believe we petanqers should be very grateful for the fact that Ngaire and his family allowed us to have so much of Bill's time and energy. For that, I believe we should be extremely thankful that Ngaire also enjoys playing petanque as well.
Personally, I count myself very fortunate to have known Bill & served on so many committees with him. Bill was always very supportive and loyal. If you needed to hear some good advice and common sense Bill was an invaluable sounding post. To have been one of his petanque partners was a privilege. Bill taught me, as well as many others a lot. The main one being, was to be honest, and enjoy the game as he much as he did.
It's inevitable that Bill will be greatly and sadly missed by Ngaire and his loving family and lots of peoples in the wider community....................and by us petanquers both on and around the pistes. However Bill will never be forgotten. His legacy, will, I am sure, live on!
Rest well Bill.
David Bosley President
Napier City Petanque Club Incorporated
I was very saddened to read of Bills passing and somewhat surprised that of all the hundreds of people that have played petanque in Hawkes Bay, only two people from outisde the region have taken the time to pay tribute to Bill. I am sure many have contacted Ngaire directly but what better place than this blog to honour a man who had dedictaed so many years to the sport. It kind of reflects the usual apathy that has continued for many years within petanque circles.
I shall always remember Bill for his kindness and warm welcome whenever i went up there to play. He could play a mean game of petanque as well and I never ever took it for granted that it would be an easy game. He will be a big loss to the club and a huge loss to his beloved Ngaire.
Graeme Burnard
I was saddened to find out quite recently of Bill's passing, as an ex member of Napier Club (currently on hiatus), having been a member for several years, I was also a little disappointed no-one let me know...but these things happen, and unfortunately I couldn't pay my respects at the funeral, so I am taking a moment to do that now.
Bill was a great man, someone I looked up to with a lot of respect, a quiet and trustworthy character, a humble person, always quick witted and good spirited, and a wealth of knowledge. I remember the day I visited him at his home and he proudly showed me his collection of fossils and precious and semi-precious stones, in particular the fossilised shark's tooth that was many thousands of years old. And, like a precious diamond, Bill was a many faceted soul who not only loved the game of Petanque, but many other intriguing aspects of life around us. Napier Club will never be the same without you! Simon Hurley
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