Popular Trowbridge decorator James Roy Hillier died at home last Tuesday, aged 73.

Known to all as Roy, he was a self-employed tradesman for over 20 years, and continued to work well into his 70s.

He was born in Yarnbrook in 1939, the fourth of five brothers, and went to school in Heywood and Westbury.

On leaving school he trained as a mechanic, and worked as a lorry driver for the Bath Brewery until he was made redundant in 1985.

Seizing the opportunity to do something new, he established his own window-cleaning and decorating business as JR Hillier, and continued working up and down ladders until he finally retired last year, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

In 1970 he met his future wife Annie, and within six months the two were married on Boxing Day at St Thomas’ Church in Trowbridge. They lived on Blind Lane, Southwick, before moving to Oak Tree Close, and had three sons, Shaun, Jason and Peter, and two grandchildren.

Last November the couple flew to Australia, where Jason and his children now live, and spent 10 weeks with the family.

Mr Hillier will be remembered as a generous and friendly man, who treated his customers as extended family, and was a regular sight around town in his distinctive yellow van.

He was also a keen member of the champion skittles team at the Royal Oak, in Hawkeridge, and would often accompany Mrs Hillier and their dogs to Crufts.

His funeral will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Trowbridge, on Friday (July 12) at 1.30pm. Donations in his memory will go to Dorothy House Hospice Care.