Bill Osborne

The Osborne family announces, with sadness, the death of Joseph William Henry “Bill” Osborne on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.  Known by many for his outgoing personality, and his dedication to the Salvation Army, Bill died just 2 months short of his 95th birthday after a life well-lived.

Bill was born on May 18, 1927, and grew up in Liverpool. He married Sheila Lawrence in 1950 and they settled in Ellesmere Port to raise their three children. They were active in the Salvation Army, playing in their Corps bands and singing in the Songsters.  Bill loved music and brass banding, playing the Last Post yearly on Remembrance Day at the cenotaph, and outside his home in memory of his brother & other veterans lost in the war, teaching many others to play brass instruments, including teaching for many years at the local Grange Comprehensive School.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his sons John (Pat) and Peter (Pam). Bill was predeceased by his wife and life partner Sheila in 2010, and by his dearly loved daughter Angela in 2019 and her husband Jeff Tucker in 2007

Also remembering Bill with love are his grandchildren Paul (Kel), Mark (Bev), Carl (Melissa), Rebecca, Rachel, and Samantha, and many great-grandchildren. Bill will be missed by his sister Ruth Eves and her husband Ted and families, and fondly remembered by the Flynn, Gordon, and Hewitt families and many friends and Salvationists.

Bill will be laid to rest on Tuesday, April 19 with a service at the Salvation Army Ellesmere Port Corps at 12 noon, followed by the Chester Crematorium.

The family invites all who wish to attend to celebrate, with gratitude, the life of Bill Osborne.

Family flowers only please, however a donation in aid of Salvation Army Ellesmere Port, Strawberry Fields in Liverpool would be gratefully received.