Bill Wright

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Duckrunner
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Bill Wright

Post by Duckrunner »

I have just heard from the Royal Marines site that Bill Wright has lost his fight with cancer and passed away. A big man with a huge reputation in the Corps we are all shocked and saddened by his passing even tnough we knew he was in his last battle.
I know Bill had many friends in Free Spirits so i have taken the liberty of posting here.

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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Paul Victory »

I'm so sorry to hear that Chris. That's very sad news.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by gregsmith01748 »

Oh, that's so sad. He was a really inspiring figure for me when I first joined Free Spirits. I'll miss having him on the boards.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Rodger »

That's very sad news. My condolences to his friends and family.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Grobi »

Bill was the first Free Spirit I met in person (Evesham 2009). He was a great character. I still remember his mile race on that occasion when he started off like a steam train, toughed it out in the middle section and brought it home somehow. Great race! I also remember meeting him at Madchester when he said to me "Thank you for speaking English". Well, Bill, thank you for being a Free Spirit" :fswink:

My condolences to Trish and Bill's family.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by plummy »

When I saw the thread title I was hoping beyond hope it was good news (a return to erging for the big guy) but no, it was very sad news indeed. Met Bill a few times and he was a lovely guy and a real powerhouse. Sincere condolences to Trish and the rest of his family.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by paulgould »

That is terrible news.
I met Bill at his rowing debut in Cardiff 2008 and a few more times subsequently.
A real old-school tough guy and an absolute gentleman - he will be sorely missed.
My deepest condolences to Trish and family.

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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Daffy »

Words don't seem enough for such a vital and inspirational man. Sad news indeed. My thoughts are with Trish, family and friends.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Liefcat »

Indeed very sad news :!: I never had the chance to meet Bill in person, got the impression that he was a great character :!: His will power and fighting spirit were (and are) legendary :!: A huge loss :!:
Last edited by Liefcat on Thu Aug 31, 2017 4:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by zootMutant »

Very sad, indeed. I've missed Bill on this forum the past few years... his sense of humour... his drive... and his compassion. My heart goes out to his family.

Cheers, Bill, you were (and are) an inspiration!
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by cweed »

So saddened to hear about Bill.

Grateful that after so much banter on the forum I got to meet him in Boston.

Trish, may your family find peace in the many memories with such a great man. So very sorry for your loss.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Draggon »

I've never met Bill - either in real life or online, but it sounds like I would have liked him a lot. Sorry for your loss for all those personally affected by this man's passing.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Jill »

I never had the pleasure of knowing or meeting Bill but I certainly benefited from reading many of his posts: his jokes, his limericks, his repartee and self-deprecation and his great support for other Free Spirits.

My condolences to Trish and her family.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by JonathanA »

Not sure why I ambled on to the Free Spirits forum today but I find myself reading this post with great sadness.

I met Bill a few times at both Grimsby and Cardiff. His powerful approach was used to great effect and quite something to see... and a true gent too.

Condolences to Trish and their family and friends at a difficult time.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by strider77 »

Chris, thanks for posting this, what incredibly sad news.

I had assumed it was just an update on Bill doing something with the Marines and have only just read it properly.

Like a lot of you who have posted already I had met Bill on several occasions at Evesham, Grimsby and elsewhere and considered him a good friend.

He was an inspiration and I remember fondly our last meet in Grimsby when suffering from a bit of food poisoning, Trish was so bad she stayed in the hotel, Bill took the 60+ race by a street from yours truly.

I have a great photo of a gang of us who were there which I have attached it might help us remember him and show others who did not know him what he looked like.

I am the dwarf in the middle and Bill is on my right between me and Paul Victory.

RIP Bill
The gang at Grimsby.jpg
The gang at Grimsby.jpg (73.66 KiB) Viewed 2352 times
[b]67 5ft 10ins tall, 80k, proud to be a Free Spirit[/b]
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by zootMutant »

strider77 wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2017 3:06 pm I am the dwarf in the middle and Bill is on my right between me and Paul Victory.
On your right? Or on the viewer's right?

I have met only Dave. Would you please list the participants, say from left to right? It would help. :P

Also, I wonder if you could post this in the 'Photos' thread so it will not be lost.

Cheers,
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by strider77 »

Hi Zoot,

Plummy (Dave Plumb), Colin Bradley, Me (Alan Wisniewski, Bill Wright, Paul Victory, Peter Weiss.

I will try to post it in the photos section too.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Grobi »

Hi zoot,
zootMutant wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2017 3:38 pm
I have met only Dave. Would you please list the participants, say from left to right? It would help. :P
From left to right:

David Plumb (plummy)
Colin Bradley (stumpy)
Alan Wisniewski (strider77)
Bill Wright (billwright)
Paul Victory (Paul Victory)
me
zootMutant wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2017 3:38 pm Also, I wonder if you could post this in the 'Photos' thread so it will not be lost.
Great idea imho.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by strider77 »

I have done it as requested :wink:
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by zootMutant »

Thanks for the lineup (Alan and Peter)... and thanks for posting in the photos thread! :fsbgrin:
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Pepe »

I am very sad to read the news about Bill. We never met, but I always regarded him as an inspirational figure and his expertise with limericks encouraged me to persevere with my own efforts.
He will be sadly missed; Free Spirits has lost an outstanding member.
My heartfelt condolences to Trish at this devastating time.

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Re: Bill Wright

Post by CamiCrew »

Very sorry to see this news. That's a photo for the ages, Alan. Thank you for posting.

Deep condolences to Trish, and others surrounding Bill.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Wolfmiester »

I've just got back from a week away, very sad news. Bill was indeed all the things described above, and many more I suspect. A top bloke.
Love and condolences to Trish and family.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by Stan »

Terrible news and deeply saddened to hear of Bills passing. My deepest condolences to Trish and his family and friends.
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Re: Bill Wright

Post by stumpy »

Only just seen this very sad news.
I will never forget Bills race at Eveshams golden mile it truly was a sight to see absolutley brilliant.
Trish please accept my sincere condolances
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