Long walks and plenty of golf is Bill’s secret
100- year- old marks big day with family
It was a day to remember for one very special Ayr resident as he celebrated his 100th birthday in fine style.
Bill Mearns, of Holmston Road, was certainly the man of the moment when friends, family and loved ones gathered to wish him all the best.
And what’s Bill’s secret to a long life? Plenty of golf and a two- mile walk every day!
Bill celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday, August 31 when a Telegram of congratulations from HM The Queen was the icing on the cake.
Daughter Margaret Bates said: “Bill was born in Beith, moving to Irvine when he was five years- old to attend Montgomery Street Primary.
“The family moved to Kilwinning when he was 10 years and he finished his education at Irvine Royal Academy.
“The family moved to Ayr when he was 18 years old.”
After working in Carlaws Engineering in Glasgow and SAL in Prestwick, Bill got the opportunity in his early 30s to apply for the Probation Service and this was a turning point in his life.
He felt his skills and value base totally matched this employment and over the following 20 years he rose to the rank of Principal Probation Officer for Ayrshire.
Margaret said: “When the Probation Service was amalgamated into the Social Work Department, Bill was appointed to the post of Reporter to the Children’s Panel, a ground- breaking service introduced by the Scottish Legal System and Social Work Department.”
Over the next four years Bill set up and established the Children’s hearing system across Ayrshire.
Bill ended his working career as Divisional Organiser for Community and Fieldwork in Paisley, retiring at the age of 63. He had a long and happy marriage to Margaret, having two daughters, Margaret and Leigh, and four grandchildren.
Sadly, his wife Margaret passed away in 1990. Bill now has two great grandchildren and on his 100th birthday his granddaughter told him that his third great grandchild will be born in March 2021.
Margaret added: “Bill believes the secret to his long life has been his devotion to golf which he played three times a week until the age of 95 and his determination to walk at least two miles every day of his life, a practice that he still maintains.”