AN ACCOMPLISHED photographer who was honoured by the Queen for his services to art has been lovingly remembered by friends and family.

William Wisden, from Southwick, who was known to many as Bill, died on January 20, at the age of 87.

He was a quantity surveyor by trade but developed a passion for photography and was a long-standing member of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS).

Growing up in Southwick with his parents Maisie and William Wisden, he took a keen interest in natural history and wildlife.

His parents ran a plant nursery nearby and Bill loved to immerse himself in the outdoors, with him gaining expert knowledge about butterflies, moths and birds.

Bill was educated at Steyning Grammar School and his interest in photography was first sparked on a family trip to Cornwall in 1943.

He first started to use an old Kodak camera while enjoying the holiday, later buying an Ensign Selfix camera after taking up his national service with the Royal Air Force.

It was in 1952 that Bill started to become involved in local camera clubs, first joining Southwick Camera Club, before being elected by its members as programme secretary.

He was twice made president of Brighton and Hove Camera Club after joining as a member.

Bill married wife Margaret in 1955 and as his talent for photography shined through, he joined the RPS four years later, becoming one of its longest-serving members.

He became an associate in 1963 and also gained a fellowship with the society the same year.

His print work, Chrysanthemums, was bought by the society to be used as part of the Tyng collection.

Bill also has 12 other pieces of work on display in the society’s collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, showing off his ability to capture various cityscapes and landscapes that took his eye. He was selected to be given an honorary fellowship by the RPS in 1994.

The society later started to give out a Fellowship of the Year award to honour Bill’s work and dedication to the society.

Bill was awarded an MBE for his services to art in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2011.

His son, also named William Wisden, said many people used to visit his Southwick home over the years to receive coaching and photography tips.

William said: “He always had cameras with him. He was always photographing landscapes. Dad had a huge gift for spotting compositions and editing images to make visual statements.”

Bill was cremated on Friday, February 2 at Worthing Crematorium.

He is survived by Margaret, William and his two nephews.