A giant figure in town’s history
Former News columnist passes away at the age of 86
Prolific East Kilbride historian and former Provost, Bill Niven, has died. He was aged 86.
Much-loved and wellrespected, Bill passed away at the weekend after a short illness.
Born and raised in East Kilbride he was a chartered accountant by profession.
Prior to undertaking his apprenticeship with McLay McAlister & McGibbon he earned a Bachelor of Law at Glasgow University.
Bill married wife Florence in 1960 and had two children – Laura and Tim – before moving to Eaglesham in 1974.
Bill worked with construction firm Murdoch Mackenzie where he became finance director, leaving in 1995 to set up his own management consultancy firm.
His knowledge of East Kilbride was encyclopaedic and he was one of the founders of the East Kilbride History Society, publishing many books on the village and its development into a new town.
In his earlier years he served as an army officer in Singapore during national service where he became 2nd Lieutenant, running the officers ’mess.
A town councillor from 1963 until 1973, Bill was heavily involved in the development of the East Kilbride new town and took great pride in being appointed Provost, a position he held from 1969 to 1972.
His passion for history also saw him serving as the President of the Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association and President of Eaglesham Feuars Association.
In 2012 Bill and others set up the Eaglesham History Society, which continues to go from strength-to-strength as an organisation today.