A loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather nicknamed “Grandad Chocolate” for his habit of handing out sweets to his youngest family members has sadly passed away.
William ‘Bill’ McNamara died at the age of 97, just three weeks shy of his 98th birthday on July 10. As a young man, Bill lost his right leg in an accident at Scunthorpe Steelworks which meant he was disabled for more than 70 years of his life but he got around with an artificial limb and walking stick.
Describing her father as “loving, helpful and traditional”, Lynn Walker said he would “do anything to help anybody”. She said her father was “extremely determined” and didn’t let his missing limb stop him from dancing with his wife of 65 years, Jean, who passed away six years ago.
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Bill was originally from Oldham but moved to Scunthorpe to marry Jean in 1953. Because they reached their diamond wedding anniversary, the couple received a card from the late Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate their long marriage.
His grandson Simon Taylor also remembered Bill as a strong-willed man who had carried on as normal after his life-changing injuries. Simon said: “He’d still go swimming and still do everything as if he had both legs.”
The funeral service for Bill will be extra poignant because is being led by Simon who has broken his ankle and will be using his grandfather’s mobility scooter and walking stick. Simon is a fully qualified with the National Association of Funeral Directors and recently bought Ashby Funeral Care with his mum Lynn and step-dad Chris.
It will be their first funeral and Bill will make his final journey on a motorbike and sidecar hearse. Simon added: “He was a traditional figure of the community. All the kids up the street would see how he is and the neighbours would go and say hello. Even at the age of 90, he’d go up and down the street in his mobility scooter with the kids playing with him.
Lynn added: “He loved children and children loved him. To my grandchildren, he was known as “Grandad Chocolate’ and to the kids up the road because he always had chocolate for them when they went.”
William leaves behind his three children Lynn, Neil and Paul, grandchildren Thomas, Simon, Zoe, and Rory, and great-grandchildren Maddie and Mia. His funeral will be held at Woodlands Crematorium in Scunthorpe on Friday, July 12 at 12pm.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe