Raymond George Bill

Special family memories of all of us, six girls and four adults on the Isle of Wight in the sun. We all worked hard on the Settlement and on our own nurseries, but always had time for family get-togethers. You loved my scotch pancakes and would fight with Iain to have the last one! RIP Ray.

Such a lovely man, always so full of life and fun. You will be sadly missed Ray although you have left so many happy memories. Rest well. X

Ray truly was a real gentleman, one who I absolutely admired. His energetic personality and passion for whatever he put his hand to is a great quality to have and that showed with Ray.
I feel very honoured to have worked alongside Ray for many years and have great times together outside of work.
Kind, caring, joyful, reliable, selfless & a perfectionist are just a few words I can think off to describe Ray.
He was a great mentor, very knowledgeable & a thoroughly decent guy.
Thank you for the memories Ray, Rest in peace mate

Have known Ray for a long time, we lived at Plaistow , he he ran Costrongs, then met up again at our Parkinson’s meeting, years later.
Ray was always the life and soul of the party, loved entertaining ,singing and dancing, a joy to know!
Heaven will be a lively place now he is there, he and my George, who passed in March and were good friends , are together again
We will all miss you Ray
Good Bless
Rosemary wigmore

Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace dear Ray.

There will be a great sing song in heaven this Christmas. You will always be remembered with a smile. Your memories live on in your wonderful daughters Dawn, Tracy and Michelle. With all my special prayers and wishes. Sarah xxxx

OUR FAMILY’S FOND AND WHAT WILL BE FOREVER LASTING LOVING MEMORIES OF RAY

Our very dearest Ray we had the good fortune to first meet long ago way back in the good old days of The LSA (Land Settlement Association) at number 12, Cow Lane in Sidlesham. From our very first introduction it was obvious this man was truly special in fact one of a kind. It is also perfectly true to state through local opinion Ray Bill was held in high regard in particular with fellow smallholders within the once thriving community.

Anyone who had the privilege of simply knowing Ray would agree he was a real inspiration, leading by example Ray was an all round lovely human being.

Over the years although on reflection it didn’t really seem to be that apparent at the time our friendship grew steadily through what was to become a working relationship in many different aspects. It is thanks to Ray we got to also know the family Pearl, Dawn, Tracy & Michelle.

Upon knowing Ray as we did it was remarkable to witness everything he achieved. The list is endless however just one key milestone to highlight to those that most likely would never have known, One day Ray happened to mention he was considering purchasing some land near Appledram to hopefully one day develop into a nursery with a dwelling but according to Ray “It won’t be anything special” Something of a understatement as from first- hand experience this could not have been further from reality.

The land was indeed purchased and together as a family the Bill’s persistent striving and endeavours with immeasurable endurance truly paid off in creating built with passion the wonderful “Cedar Nursery” once well & truly now long established subsequently over time became the ever more wonderful “Fuschia World” Ray one day asked did we know of any people looking for work, well the rest really is history because it was us as another family unit that started work there almost immediately. Oh what incredible cherished fun times were had by all although the hours were long and the work was relentless it has to be said that for us as a family unit we had the most enjoyable time working with Ray, Pearl and the girls. It was not unusual to be working together at 5am when Ray would burst in to song. Moments such as these were magical. This will come as no surprise all made so possible by Ray. The self-motivated, highly-disciplined, conscientious, hard working, extremely generous and above all else incredible person he was who lived life to the full.

Finally we would like to close by emphasising just how inspiring Ray was that he instilled this in to us as a family equally inspiring us to strive & endeavour to do well in all that we have ever done, so much so that we too have recently purchased a substantial amount of farmland therefore in Ray’s memory we have appropriately renamed it “CEDARS”


We Love You Ray but words alone could never thank you enough for simply being YOU.
From, Les, Trudy, Abbie & Ashley XXXX

I was so privileged to have Ray as my brother. When we were young it was the two of us who were rather mischievous. Sometimes Mum would smack us on the back of our hands when we misbehaved whilst we tried not to giggle. Ray left home and went to work when I was thirteen. I have many wonderful memories of him especially when he came and stayed with us in Spain. He loved to sing and one evening went on his knees and sang Mama to mum in a pavement cafe. Everyone looked on in astonishment as he had such a marvellous voice. Then all the family were trying to erect a gazebo on the fine sands. Of course it kept collapsing. The Spanish locals were telling us it could not be done but the men kept trying. All us women were just falling about laughing until the men gave up. Then in a restaurant Ray was given a nut with a surprise inside and when he finally cracked it Ray's face was a picture. Ray mostly seemed very happy and enjoyed a good laugh, he was a very special man to everyone's lives he touched.
I will always love and remember you Ray and all the memories we shared together.
Thank you for being my brother. Love Jackie xx

Getting to know Ray during his time at Dovecote View has been a real privilege.
I will always have fond memories of a man who had me doubled over with laughter when discussing his 'gremlins', who used to sing frequently, and who was a real family man with all his talk of love for his daughters and family.
I will miss Ray's mischievous smile as well, particularly when he would do this just before breaking into a Christmas Carol at the dining table in the middle of Summer, or before referring to one of our staff as 'The Duchess'!
He will be sorely missed by us all x

Happy memories of a lovely bloke. Take a bow Ray for your final curtain call.