Bill Kittle

I needed to also mention that Bill took me to my first horse racing meeting. Which was an evening meeting at Windsor. He also taught me how to place a bet with a bookie. Not sure if I made any money, but it was an enjoyable evening.

I first met Bill at Leatherhead Urban District Council in Surrey in 1965, when I moved there as an Assistant Engineer. It was a lovely place to work due entirely to the people who also worked there.Bill was one of these people who had arrived there before I did. I still live in Great Bookham Surrey and every day I am reminded of the Engineering works that Bill worked on while at Leatherhead. Bill and Maria both did their best to make me feel welcome at work as well as at home as I had arrived at Leatherhead on my own at the age of 21 years. As well as tennis ,Bill was also a great footballer and we both played for our "works" team. Also he was a very good table tennis player. We kept in touch for over nearly 60 years. I was therefore very sad when Maria contacted me to inform me of Bill's passing. I will always remember him with fond affection a true and caring gentleman.

So sorry to hear of Bill's passing; Bill was a winner, a gent and a doer. Big loss, but fantastic contribution over his life. He'll always be remembered and his name will live on through the Bill Kittle Trophy at Stoney Stanton Tennis Club, where I was lucky enough to enjoy time with Bill and see him do a great job of coaching my daughter Cara Christelow to a team mini reds Leicestershire league title. Sorry, I'm in Italy when the funeral happens, but I will be there in spirit and will raise a glass to one of the finest people I've ever met.