Bill is larger than life
Dear Maggie and family,
What can I say!
Bill is larger than life – sometime showman, raconteur, humorist and infuriating clown, but always with a huge capacity for compassion, friendship and deep human warmth.
I first came across Bill when we were both appointed as Informal Education Tutors in Sunderland, he at Red House Comprehensive, me at Monkwearmouth. As countless people in Red House and colleagues he worked with in Sunderland will know Bill, brought new ways of working with people to his youth and community work. His style was unique – he could see the best in people and could recognise others’ yearnings and great ideas. He would rarely admit to a new idea, preferring others to own their own projects. The testimonies for this can be found in all those projects he supported, developed and nurtured in Sunderland.
I learned a great deal from Bill and tried as best I could to emulate his skills – but how could you copy that grin or his Scottish growl of approval!
Bill was a great teacher, with a gift to invisibly enable others to grow – almost like sprinkling magic dust. He was a great community educator in every sense and I admired him because there was something about Bill that was rare. Even when he was being rude, naughty or plain silly during late night pub conversations, there was always present his clear-sighted humanity and wisdom, alongside his deep convictions about fairness and justice.
Bill has made a difference, leaving a mark upon those who came to know him. It was an honour to work with him. Even more a privilege to know Bill.
Ian Kershaw
What can I say!
Bill is larger than life – sometime showman, raconteur, humorist and infuriating clown, but always with a huge capacity for compassion, friendship and deep human warmth.
I first came across Bill when we were both appointed as Informal Education Tutors in Sunderland, he at Red House Comprehensive, me at Monkwearmouth. As countless people in Red House and colleagues he worked with in Sunderland will know Bill, brought new ways of working with people to his youth and community work. His style was unique – he could see the best in people and could recognise others’ yearnings and great ideas. He would rarely admit to a new idea, preferring others to own their own projects. The testimonies for this can be found in all those projects he supported, developed and nurtured in Sunderland.
I learned a great deal from Bill and tried as best I could to emulate his skills – but how could you copy that grin or his Scottish growl of approval!
Bill was a great teacher, with a gift to invisibly enable others to grow – almost like sprinkling magic dust. He was a great community educator in every sense and I admired him because there was something about Bill that was rare. Even when he was being rude, naughty or plain silly during late night pub conversations, there was always present his clear-sighted humanity and wisdom, alongside his deep convictions about fairness and justice.
Bill has made a difference, leaving a mark upon those who came to know him. It was an honour to work with him. Even more a privilege to know Bill.
Ian Kershaw
posted by Mark Scott at 3:20 AM
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