Gregarious former diver and farmer dies following illness

A commercial diver who set up schools in the UK and abroad has died.

William Bowen-Rees died on December 14 at his home in Wargrave following a prolonged illness.

The former farmer will be remembered as a man who lived life to the fullest and was often seen walking his Labradors in the village, enjoying a tipple on the Thames or diving with the Nautical Archaeological Society.

“He loved entertaining his friends,” said his second wife Lilian this week.

“He was a charismatic peacock, full of fun and a bringer of joy."

Bill, who was born in 1927 served with the Royal Marines and also ran a farm in Tenby until 1969.

He set up a diving school in Tenby Harbour in the 1960s and more diving schools in Albufeira and then Praia da Luz during the 1970s.

Bill married Lilian in 1980, moved to Maidenhead then Wargrave and founded a successful IT consultancy firm.