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William (Bill) Hunt

Created: 03 Jun 2014
Jun 03

It is with great sadness that we have just received the news of Bill Hunt’s death.

Bill toured with us for many years during which time he became well known to many of our customers.  His final tour with us last year was I believe his 35th and he even achieved the record of 11 of our tours in one year! His touring career started many years previous to our own and there was not much that Bill had not done or seen before.

Bill was a very quiet and independent person which made him difficult to communicate with at times, but I and many others on the tours grew to know him over the years and know he was never happier than when riding his bike, or stood in the bar, pint in hand. He had a wicked sense of humour and his ‘one liner’s never failed to sum up the situation or person perfectly.

 I have passed on my condolences to the family from all his friends at White Rose.

Comments (10)

  1. Robin &Izzy:
    04 Jun 2014 at 07:42 AM

    So sorry to hear about Bill - he was always there not saying a lot but just the occasional quip along the way with a twinkle in the eye ....we called him "the boy racer" as he roared past us on his way home after a tour loving the full throttle...go easy Bill we shall miss seeing you.

  2. steve & liz:
    04 Jun 2014 at 06:08 PM

    Great guy. Sadly missed. Liz enjoyed helping him on with his waterproofs!!

  3. allen:
    05 Jun 2014 at 06:30 PM

    Many fond memories of Bill.
    My very first tour (Ireland).
    When we arrived at Holyhead dockside there was one bike there, of course it was Bill'.When my brother went across and introduced ourselves Bill's comment was 'never seen him before in my life'.
    He never left our sides throughout that tour, drinking-laughing, drinking some more-laughing some more .......
    Same two 'old buggers', staying in Grindelwald, got slightly intoxicated and decided that we would go paragliding!! next morning.
    Bill had seen a video played in town, in a shop window, and so off we went to watch it.
    Imagine, two silly WRT 'juveniles' with beer in hand, watching the video,giggling and planning to fly in the morning.
    Thankfully it rained and the two daredevils (alcohol induced) never got to paraglide together.
    Just two of many memorable tours with 'BILL'.

    Sadly missed

  4. Keith L:
    06 Jun 2014 at 12:55 PM

    Have been on many tours with Bill, and although he may have come across as grumpy, he was completely the opposite! he simply knew what he liked and disliked, end of. Will miss him on the road and in the bar.

  5. Clive and Chris Neely:
    07 Jun 2014 at 04:53 PM

    First conversation with Bill in a hotel bar in Scotland.

    Clive; Where are you from?
    Bill; Middlesborough

    Clive; Did it take you long to get here?
    Bill; No, not really.

    Clive; Have you been with Dave before?
    Bill; No

    Fortunately after a few more attempts Bill opened up, he just needed a little encouragement and he was always one of the first people I looked out for in the bar on any tour we were on together. A loner by nature with a wicked sense of humour and a thoroughly decent bloke who will be missed by everybody that has met him on a WRT. After so many tours there cannot be many who will not have a tale to tell about Bill Hunt.

  6. Mick Croxon (Tiger Twin):
    11 Jun 2014 at 01:22 PM

    Sad to here of Bill's passing...he'll be missed by many on tour. He was a "one off" but a bit of a lad when he got to know you. Harry and I had a few laughs with him and he paid us the honour of riding out with us once or twice. Dry humour too. I remember Annie asking what he thought of her new metallic green Tiger 800. He paused and thought for a minute and then said "was it the only colour they had left?". Classic Bill!
    RIP Bill...ride safe up there!

  7. Ken & Karen Berry:
    25 Jun 2014 at 09:09 PM

    Sorry to hear Bill passed away, first met Bill many years ago in Slovenia and subsequently have done many tours with Bill. Bill never seemed to change, he was a miserable old bugger on every tour, but we really liked him. He had a wicked sense of humour.

  8. Andy Scholar:
    03 Jul 2014 at 05:07 PM

    Shy and somewhat reclusive but likeable. Not a great people person though. He was always up for a beer after which he opened up . I warmed to him after a third tour with him and always found him polite and knowledgeable. Odd chap though - I turned up at a cafe on route to Hull last year- spotted Bill`s bike in the car park of a cafe and he was walking towards it. Gave him a wave. He waved back , got on his bike and rode off. He will be sadly missed.

  9. Bill Vivian:
    05 Jul 2014 at 09:40 PM

    Very sorry to hear that (the other) Bill has left us. He was hard work at times but he loved White Rose Tours and I think we were like an extended family for him. I once shared a cabin with him on North Sea Ferries - he was fast asleep when I turned in and had disappeared when I got up, so we never saw each other!. A remember him getting quite upset when another regular accidently 'cut him up', in fact he threatened to "put him one on" - I had all on to calm Bill down. Happy memories. By the way I think that Liz has got us mixed up - I enjoyed her taking my waterproofs off!.

  10. Graham:
    20 Jul 2014 at 03:23 PM

    What lovely comments about who can only be remembered by all of us WRT riders who ever met him as a lovely guy. All of our comments apply but he was always there and would so enjoy the evenings in the bar, always sitting quietly but every so often throwing his opinion in to the mix. RIP Bill. Both Carol and l were privileged to have met you and for myself to have ridden with you many times. See you up there fella.


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