WILLIAM Hill, who died on Thursday at the age of 85, was born in Bradford on Avon in May 1921 and spent his early years in Upper Studley.

After leaving school he joined the Wiltshire Yeomanry at the age of 17 and served with the 8th Army in the Second World War, fighting both in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

After the war he retained his links with the Army and became an active member of the Territorial Army, first at Trowbridge, and then, after achieving the rank of Major, as Commanding Officer at Westbury and Warminster.

He met Peggy, his wife-to-be, in Southend on Sea during the war.

After their marriage Peggy moved to Trowbridge, with her sister Rita, and lived with Bill's parents during the war.

Bill and Peggy remained in Trowbridge throughout their lives with their sons Roly and Barry being born and brought up there.

Peggy and Bill's long and happy marriage culminated in the celebration of their diamond wedding in 2002. Sadly, Peggy died shortly afterwards.

Most of his working life was spent in the car industry, working first at the old Dennis Os Motors in Trowbridge and then at Baxter and Stillman and Ramseyer Motors and then finally moving to the Wincanton Group, where he was transport manager for many years and where he took on responsibility for fleet sales.

He became a founder member of the newly formed Association of Car Fleet Operators, became its first national chairman and was very proud of the successful organisation it has become today.

Throughout his working life he was a leading member of Trowbridge Town FC Supporters Club and the Trowbridge and District Football League and remained president of the latter until his death.

His links with the TTFC Supporters' Club go back over 60 years. He joined the Supporters' Club in 1946 and soon became very actively involved serving first as hon secretary, then as chairman, and finally as president.

His happiest memories were of the club's successes as Western League Champions for several years under the management of Harry Haddon, and he was very sad when the club was forced to sell its former ground at Frome Road and was looking forward to seeing the club build its new stadium and establishing itself again in the newly proposed ground at North Bradley.

He was also involved in junior football and became president of the Trowbridge and District Football League in 1976. He was a popular figure at the League's annual meetings and will be remembered for the friendly and efficient way he always conducted the business.

Trowbridge League secretary Ian Hibbard said: "Bill was a true gentleman who will be remembered for his wholehearted enthusiasm and support for local football.

"The Trowbridge and District League are grateful to have had the benefit of his wisdom and experience over the past 30 years. He was the sort of person to whom you could turn for a few words of sound advice and encouragement when needed, and he will be missed by all of us who knew him through his distinguished association with the League and its affairs."

Despite undergoing surgery for a triple heart bypass in 1992 and for the removal of a cancerous kidney shortly after this, he remained cheerful throughout his later years and continued to take an interest in all about him.

Throughout his life he was a very warm, caring and generous person with a well-developed sense of humour and a willingness to spend time with and support others.

He was also an active gardener and was proud of his Black Homburg grapevine.

He will be sadly missed both within his family and by his friends in the wider community and in the world of football.

A minute's silence will be observed before all Trowbridge and District League games tomorrow.

His funeral will be at 2pm on Monday at the West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington. Family flowers only, but donations to Cancer Research UK can be made care of CS Bowyer Ltd, 3 St Thomas Road, Trowbridge.