William Laurence Finn 31 December 1936 – 27 September 2020
CONTRIBUTE
TO MEMORY TIMELINE
Knowing Willie for over 53 years and along with Rita, we have shared some very happy and memorable times together. He was a very special friend who will never be forgotten. God bless and keep you Bill.
>read on
Rita and family, we are so sorry to hear the sad news about Willie. Sending our condolences to you and all of the family. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers. Requiescat in Pace Willie <3
>read on
So very sorry for your loss. I know you will feel a light has gone out in your life, in time that light will be re-ignited with many happy memories of love laughter and good times shared! Until then May God Richly Bless you All xx
>read on
From the day that he was born, as the baby of the family and the only boy, Willie was greatly loved by his three big sisters. Kitty often talks about their happy childhood, although it was wartime, growing up in Aboyne and living in the Tower O'Ess; they were always close and she still calls him her "lovely little brother". She found the initial years when the family moved to Australia very hard - we used to record tapes and send them by overland mail as phoning was very expensive and complicated. Kitty visited Perth quite a few times - with her husband Joe, with Aunt Madeleine and with Margaret & David when she was 85 eight years ago. She has so many memories, and photos, of those visits but a few of the stand out ones are: ? the Swan Valley Wine Cruise ? smuggling in heather for Katrina's wedding bouquet ? the "undeclared" ham sandwich ? barbies with Willie in charge of the cooking ? pool parties and trips/meals out. In recent years Kitty has been unable to travel but Skype and Video calls have meant that she could still see Willie & Rita and have a chat - we could never have imagined this back in the 60's! We three girls loved our Uncle Billy Bin - not sure where the nickname came from but it may have had something to do with Bill & Ben the Flowerpot men? Some of our happiest memories are: ? Margaret being told aged 2½ that if she didn't eat her crusts she would never have curly hair like his which given that it was bright ginger may have been a blessing ? Mary reminding Margaret & Kathleen that Uncle Billy was HER godfather therefore she was very special ? Kathleen being Flower Girl with the assistance of Tufty the teddy when he married the love of his life, Aunt Rita ? picking us up at Manchester Piccadilly station in his wee van to travel to Stockport with Daddy in the passenger seat and Mum in the back with the luggage, us three girls and the tools! ? visiting with Aunt Rita and Karen before they left for Australia and again a few years later when their nieces were old enough to take them on an evening out up the town - sorry you couldn't come too Karen & Katrina! ? teaching Mary to drive ? standing in for Daddy when Margaret got married to David and meeting the next generation Lisa. Chris & Sarah We could write much more, it's difficult to stop once you start but we will finish with the most important thing - he was so loved Kitty and all of the family over here in Edinburgh. We have so many happy memories of Willie and our Uncle Billy Bin which we will continue to share with each other, he will always be in our hearts and part of our lives.
Dear Rita and family, Sending our deepest condolences to you all. We have fond memories of spending time with you and Willy when you both last visited Scotland. We will remember Willy and your family in our thoughts and prayers. God bless and may Willy rest in peace, Martin, Ann, Scarlett and Christopher xxxx
Friends are the family you choose. That has always been the Finn-Fitzpatrick-Hadland mantra. Today we said goodbye to a most wonderful friend/mentor/confidante/uncle/godfather. Our hearts are not only filled with overwhelming sadness at the loss of Bill, but also with the most wonderful memories spanning more than 50 years. Some of these being the Saturday night parties at Campsbourne Street that went from dusk till dawn, the wonderful new years parties, and in later years the new years day gatherings. Then there were the birthdays, weddings, christenings, holy communions etc. Along with Rita, Bill always had an abundance of love, kindness and generosity. He was always ready with helpful advise and words of wisdoms. And let's not forget Bill's quick smile and easy laugh. We'll always remember Bill as a great conversationalist. Whether it was serious or seriously funny, Banter with Bill was always good for the soul. With Bill's declining health, our mother Kathleen Fitzpatrick said on several occasions "Bill Finn may be wee, but he's offa tough". And that was evident in just how long Bill hung on, not wanting to leave his beautiful wife Rita and equally beautiful daughter's Karen and Katrina and their families. Rita, Karen and Katrina we send you all our love and support to you and your families. We will always be here for you and love you all dearly. Friends are the family you choose.
Dear Rita and family, Our deepest condolences to you all for the loss of Bill, our good and beloved neighbor. He will always be in our thoughts and we pray that his soul will rest in peace. Ghaleb and Nirmeen
Knowing Willie for over 53 years and along with Rita, we have shared some very happy and memorable times together. He was a very special friend who will never be forgotten. God bless and keep you Bill.
Rita and family, we are so sorry to hear the sad news about Willie. Sending our condolences to you and all of the family. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers. Requiescat in Pace Willie <3
So very sorry for your loss. I know you will feel a light has gone out in your life, in time that light will be re-ignited with many happy memories of love laughter and good times shared! Until then May God Richly Bless you All xx
From the day that he was born, as the baby of the family and the only boy, Willie was greatly loved by his three big sisters. Kitty often talks about their happy childhood, although it was wartime, growing up in Aboyne and living in the Tower O'Ess; they were always close and she still calls him her "lovely little brother". She found the initial years when the family moved to Australia very hard - we used to record tapes and send them by overland mail as phoning was very expensive and complicated. Kitty visited Perth quite a few times - with her husband Joe, with Aunt Madeleine and with Margaret & David when she was 85 eight years ago. She has so many memories, and photos, of those visits but a few of the stand out ones are: ? the Swan Valley Wine Cruise ? smuggling in heather for Katrina's wedding bouquet ? the "undeclared" ham sandwich ? barbies with Willie in charge of the cooking ? pool parties and trips/meals out. In recent years Kitty has been unable to travel but Skype and Video calls have meant that she could still see Willie & Rita and have a chat - we could never have imagined this back in the 60's! We three girls loved our Uncle Billy Bin - not sure where the nickname came from but it may have had something to do with Bill & Ben the Flowerpot men? Some of our happiest memories are: ? Margaret being told aged 2½ that if she didn't eat her crusts she would never have curly hair like his which given that it was bright ginger may have been a blessing ? Mary reminding Margaret & Kathleen that Uncle Billy was HER godfather therefore she was very special ? Kathleen being Flower Girl with the assistance of Tufty the teddy when he married the love of his life, Aunt Rita ? picking us up at Manchester Piccadilly station in his wee van to travel to Stockport with Daddy in the passenger seat and Mum in the back with the luggage, us three girls and the tools! ? visiting with Aunt Rita and Karen before they left for Australia and again a few years later when their nieces were old enough to take them on an evening out up the town - sorry you couldn't come too Karen & Katrina! ? teaching Mary to drive ? standing in for Daddy when Margaret got married to David and meeting the next generation Lisa. Chris & Sarah We could write much more, it's difficult to stop once you start but we will finish with the most important thing - he was so loved Kitty and all of the family over here in Edinburgh. We have so many happy memories of Willie and our Uncle Billy Bin which we will continue to share with each other, he will always be in our hearts and part of our lives. Read full message here.
Dear Rita and family, Sending our deepest condolences to you all. We have fond memories of spending time with you and Willy when you both last visited Scotland. We will remember Willy and your family in our thoughts and prayers. God bless and may Willy rest in peace, Martin, Ann, Scarlett and Christopher xxxx Read full message here.
Friends are the family you choose. That has always been the Finn-Fitzpatrick-Hadland mantra. Today we said goodbye to a most wonderful friend/mentor/confidante/uncle/godfather. Our hearts are not only filled with overwhelming sadness at the loss of Bill, but also with the most wonderful memories spanning more than 50 years. Some of these being the Saturday night parties at Campsbourne Street that went from dusk till dawn, the wonderful new years parties, and in later years the new years day gatherings. Then there were the birthdays, weddings, christenings, holy communions etc. Along with Rita, Bill always had an abundance of love, kindness and generosity. He was always ready with helpful advise and words of wisdoms. And let's not forget Bill's quick smile and easy laugh. We'll always remember Bill as a great conversationalist. Whether it was serious or seriously funny, Banter with Bill was always good for the soul. With Bill's declining health, our mother Kathleen Fitzpatrick said on several occasions "Bill Finn may be wee, but he's offa tough". And that was evident in just how long Bill hung on, not wanting to leave his beautiful wife Rita and equally beautiful daughter's Karen and Katrina and their families. Rita, Karen and Katrina we send you all our love and support to you and your families. We will always be here for you and love you all dearly. Friends are the family you choose. Read full message here.
Dear Rita and family, Our deepest condolences to you all for the loss of Bill, our good and beloved neighbor. He will always be in our thoughts and we pray that his soul will rest in peace. Ghaleb and Nirmeen Read full message here.