Bill Dowling: a larger-than-life Stratford mayor
COUNCILLOR William John Dowling, aged 70, who was a larger-than-life character around
Stratford, passed away on Friday, 22nd March, at Redditch Hospital due to sepsis following a short illness.
Born at the Monroe Devis in Tiddington, Councillor Dowling was educated
at St Gregory’s School and then Warwick School.
He excelled at sport, firstly with Monday evening’s swimming club at Leamington Pump Rooms and later representing Stratford’s first teams at rugby, cricket, and football.
Bill met his future wife, Marion, 30 years ago when they were with mutual friends at As You Like It nightclub in Stratford and they married on 28th December 2019. Among his pastimes, golf was a particular favourite.
Bill’s interest in serving the community resulted in him being elected as a Stratford Town Councillor from 2002 and for the last ten years he served Shottery ward. He was still a town councillor at the time of his death.
Councillor Dowling was also a Liberal Democrat district councillor for Stratford Guild and Hathaway Ward between 2012 and 2015.
One of the highlights of his civic career was to serve as the Mayor of Stratford from May 2011 to May 2012.
His sense of public duty and fairness was always part of his daily life and in 2019 Councillor Dowling was adamant that town councillors should not receive an allowance for the voluntary duties they performed.
He said at a town council meeting in August that year: “I think it’s absolutely the right decision not to introduce a member’s allowances scheme. I didn’t become a town councillor to claim an allowance and from the discussions at the meeting it was clear that the other members didn’t either, I don’t believe we could justify spending people’s money on allowances.”
As a result members unanimously voted not to receive an allowance.
A jack of all trades, Bill had many jobs, such as a milkman, carpet layer and he worked with his brother, Peter, in a restaurant in Spain. He also worked for Philips in the USA and eventually returned to Stratford to be one of the founding partners of Ideal Taxis where he was well known throughout his hometown.
Councillor Kate Rolfe, Mayor of Stratford said: “Bill was the longest serving current Councillor, having dedicated himself to serving the community of Stratford-upon-Avon for 22 years, including being the Mayor in 2011/2012. His wealth of knowledge and expertise will be greatly missed here at the Town Council, where he was always a wise councillor, particularly for newly elected members. He served the community with dedication and commitment, making his sudden departure such a significant loss both for the Town Council and the wider community. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Bill leaves his wife Marion, son Joshua, grandchildren and a great granddaughter. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
