Tribute to final mayor of old Urban District
Bill, 92, served in 1973 before the creation of the borough council
TRIBUTES have been paid to the last mayor of the old Stafford Urban District, who has died, aged 92.
Bill Simpson, who was also a magistrate and school governor, served on both the urban district council and Stafford Borough Council, which replaced it 50 years ago. He was the final mayor under the previous system, holding the office in 1973.
Made an Alderman in later years in recognition of his service to the borough, Bill, died days before his 93rd birthday. He died at Manor Nursing Home, Stafford, after a short illness, and is survived by wife Audrey, three children, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Son Robert Simpson, who followed his father into politics and served on Staffordshire County Council for 12 years, said: “Although it is sad for him to pass, looking back he was someone who passed his life making a difference and you couldn’t ask for anything more.
“He was very much a people person who would talk to people at all levels, and was also a great supporter of democracy.
“He was originally from Consett, in County Durham, and his mother used to collect the weekly dues for the local Labour Party.
“His dad was from a mining community but his mum never wanted him to go down the mines he left school at 14 and worked as a signalman’s assistant on the railways. He got called up for National Service and moved to RAF Stafford. He met mum and decided to come out of the RAF and stay in Stafford. There used to be a roller-skating hall in the Rowley Street area and the story goes that she fell at his feet!”
The couple were married for more than 70 years and lived at home together until just a few months before Bill’s death.
Robert said his father was very much a family man, and as a magistrate he specialised in family cases and wanted to ensure the best for the children involved.
He was first elected to serve his adopted town as a Labour councillor for Tillington in 1963 and made chairman of the civil defence committee the following year. He was also involved in highways and his chief interest over the years was planning.
He lost his council seat in 1979 and two years later became a magistrate. He returned to Stafford Borough Council in 1995, serving in Littleworth and later the town’s Common Ward, and stood down 20 years later in 2015
His second stint as a councillor coincided with Robert’s time on Staffordshire County Council as a Labour representative.
Robert, who was made a Staffordshire Alderman in 2009, said: “We served on a number of joint committees together and it was really good we could work together to make things happen for the benefit of the people of Stafford. I think he was very proud of me becoming a councillor and following in his footsteps.
“I asked him what his best memories of being on the council were and he said being the mayor was the pinnacle, as well as going to the palace to see the Queen when he was Mayor at one of the garden parties. He also met the Queen at the County Showground when she came to Stafford in 2006.
“He was a stickler for policy and he was generous with his advice and support to younger councillors. He had friends on all sides of the chamber and he got on with a lot of Conservative members as well as Liberal Democrats.
“There is a lot of tribalism on some councils but Stafford is a lot friendlier. He said we’re all in this for the same reason - that’s to make Stafford a better place and to serve our residents.”
During his working life Bill was based at Dorman Diesels in Tixall Road, where he finished as chief buyer and his union membership brought him into politics.
A part-time job at a men’s clothing shop in Princes Street in the 1960s saw him working alongside the late Jon Downing, who went on to become president of Stafford Rangers FC.
Bill too was a dedicated Stafford Rangers supporter for many decades. He went to Wembley on three occasions with the team, was a keen
watcher of all sports and opened the old Riverside Recreation Centre 50 years ago.
After the announcement of his death, the flag above Stafford Civic Centre was flown at half mast as a mark of respect.
Council leader and fellow Labour member Aidan Godfrey said: “It was with great sadness I learned of Alderman William Simpson’s passing.
“Bill will always be remembered as the last Mayor of the old Stafford Corporation and as a colleague who was always helpful to new councillors, pointing them in the right direction and giving very friendly advice as to how they should best represent their wards.
“I know members and officers of the borough council will remember Bill with respect and admiration. He cared for our borough and the people who live here, he will be missed.
“Bill was a great servant to our town and borough. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
A civic funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church on Monday, April 8, and donations will be in aid of the church, which played a key role during Bill’s mayoral year.