| Pic 2 - taken in 1986<br />Williams granddaughter Debi wrote to us saying<br />"After years of being the strongest man I have ever known, my Grandfather, William Neill was diagnosed with senile dementia and sadly died in March 2001. He often reminisced about his time on the Barham and the many friends he spent his days with. I am extremely proud of him for all his efforts during the war. I was very blessed that he survived. He is terribly missed every day."<br /><br />It is hard to put into words what a wonderful man my grandfather was. Growing up he was such fun, I can remember him pretending to be Daffy Duck on the phone and banging his knife and fork on the table at Sunday lunch singing why are we waiting! During those fun times as children none of us could have fathomed the calibre of man we were graced with. Grace and humility are the traits he taught us with no words exchanged. My grandfather was a Christian soldier who quietly used Gods word to guide him threw his times of need. During our bible chats he told me always to remember Pslam 28 and in particular v7, The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusts in him and I am helped. He told many wonderful stories at the dinner table regarding his experiences as a soldier and I know the Pslams gave him the courage and strength of heart to move forward into the battle. To this day he is not forgotten, he has left us with wonderful happy memories and the life lesson of grace and humility. Granda Neill I salute you.<br /> |
