William (Bill) Hurst Faulkner (Wf 51-54) passed away on 14 December 2023. His daughter, Joanne, said that he loved his time at Bloxham and visited on many occasions. We are grateful to his family for this obituary:
Bill was born on 21 June 1937. He was the youngest of three and had a wonderful childhood on the family farm. He joined Bloxham when he was 13, making lifelong friends. He was in the CCF, Young Farmers Club, boxed and played rugby and cricket. On one school trip to France, he threw a butter paper out of the train window which of course flew in another to hit one of the masters in the face. While at school, the winters were cold enough to freeze the moat at Broughton Castle and he spent many afternoons skating there. After school, he went to Moreton Hall to study Agriculture.
Bill married Pam in 1961 and they moved into Bryher College, named after their favourite island in the Scillies, and they had two children: Joanne and Marcus.
Bill was an active member of the Rural District Council, Parish Council and was a Church Warden for many years. Bill was a Mason and was Master of the Old Bloxhamist Lodge more than once. He was a keen season ticket holder of Aston Villa and enjoyed cricket at Edgbaston and rugby at Wasps.
Bill was very proud of his children, Joanne and Marcus, his grandchildren, Josh and Hannah, and his great grand-daughter, Evie.
His great friend, and fellow OB, Michael Morrison (Wf 51-55) adds: “I met Bill in the Wilberforce Junior dormitory and together with John Lilwall (Wf 51-55) and Ted Byron (Wf 50-55) we spent four years together. The funeral was a fitting tribute where us Bloxham pals all wore Bloxham School attire: blazer and cricket caps. In celebration of Bill’s life, the Test Match Special music was played and reminded me of Bill bowling very fast on the square.” Tom Heritage (Wn 53-55) and Malcolm Thorne (eg 76-80) were also in attendance.
