FAMILY and friends said farewell to a former mayor and football club president who was remembered as a kind-hearted man.

William Charles “Bill” Parris played a vital part in building up the profile of Peacehaven. He was involved in setting up the twinning association with towns in Epinay-sous-Senart, France, and Isernhagen in Germany.

Bill was born on May 18, 1925, in Portsmouth. His mother went into labour early after falling into the Solent while visiting her husband on a naval ship. Bill attended Piddinghoe School, the Old Tin Hut School and Newhaven School for Boys.

He was drafted during the Second World War in August 1943 and he was stationed in Malta where he served as a signalman. He could still send messages in Morse Code until the end of his life. After the war, Bill became a manager of Cornfords Dairy in Peacehaven.

He got married to Phylis on March 28, 1953, in Lewes. He had three children, Mike, Dawn and Keith. Bill played for local football teams including Brighton and Hove Albion, Newhaven and Peacehaven. Bill was involved in the Peacehaven FC for more than half a century.

He served as a committee member, treasurer and lifetime president. The football enthusiast was appointed the lifetime president of the Sussex Football Association in recognition for his hard work for grassroots football.

In 2014, he was invited to The Queen’s garden party as recognition for his dedication to the town. He was unable to attend due to ill health, however a local representative was sent to hold a party in his garden on the same day. Bill was a keen singer and took part in many competitions, including “Peacehaven has talent”. He also appeared in musicals and organised shows for the community with an amateur dramatics company. His granddaughter Lisa Parris said: “He was a lovely, kind-hearted inspirational man and cared so much about the community he lived in.

“We’ll all miss him very much. Life will not be the same without him but I feel privileged to have had him as part of mine for as long as I have.”

Bill died on January 6 from vascular dementia at 93. His funeral takes place next Wednesday at 3pm at Peacehaven Football Club.