Mrs Maureen Wills, of Street

The church service and cremation of Mrs Maureen Wills took place at the Mission Church, Street, and at Yeovil Crematorium on Tuesday, September 30. The service was conducted by the Rev Brian Moreby.

Maureen was born on August 30, 1935. She was born in Street and lived all her life there. She had an older brother, Raymond, and a younger sister, Jean.

Maureen left school and joined Clarks where she met her first husband. They had three daughters. Maureen worked part-time while her girls were at school. Later she met George and they were married in 1979.

After retirement they enjoyed days out walking and pottering around in their garden.

Maureen loved dancing and particularly enjoyed line dancing as she was always on the go.

Maureen was a loving wife and mother, and doted on her five grandchildren.

Family mourners were: George Wills (husband); Zoe Byrne, Vivienne Shepherd and Dave Winter, Donna and Neil Fraser (daughters and sons-in-law); Raven Byrne, Kirstie and John Fraser, Ray and Charlie Evans (grandchildren); Jean Holt (sister) rep Ray Lintell (brother and family in Australia); Martin Holt (nephew) rep Neil Holt (nephew); Linda Hannam and Brian Shepherd (step-daughter and partner); Jamie Hannam (step-grandson); Jeff and Valerie Wills (stepson and wife); Sarah Wills (step-granddaughter).

Other mourners were: Robert Bell; Ian and Sheila Holland rep Linda and Martin Glover; Phyllis Pitt; Martin Leach; Mrs E Bell rep Maple Close; Mrs D Davies; Mr and Mrs Tom Higgins; Mrs Rita Hardy rep Mr and Mrs C Parsons; Max and Doreen King rep Mrs M King; Mr R Sandford; Alan and Janet Baker and Mrs Queenie Vowles; Mrs V Clare; Shirley Isaac; Bob Stapleton; Ruth Horstead rep Eric; Margaret and Derek Patch; Mr Gordon Humphries rep Mrs Myrtle Humphries; Mrs J Sandford rep David, Shirley and Trevor; John and Mary Badman; Mr and Mrs Old and children; W Martin; Veronica Denning rep Joy Bowles; Arthur Mobbs rep Tannery Close; Bob May; Miss Joan Squire rep Phyllis Govier; Gloria McClurg rep Jimmy McClurg, Brian Mapstone and Joyce Hoskins; Linda Chant; Molly Griffiths; Paul and Sue Griffiths; David Ganfield; Alice Axford; Pam and Dennis Pear rep Julian and Carla; Colin Govier (cousin); Alison Brian; Mr and Mrs R Edmunds rep Doreen Edmunds and Ray Hilbourne; Mrs M Clark rep family; Tony Clark (cousin); Diane Huggett rep Mendip Housing; Sheila Perrett rep Vic Masters.

The funeral arrangements were carried out and this obituary was provided by M Franks and Sons, Bath Road, Ashcott.

Wing Commander W E 'Tim' Thomas, formerly of Croscombe

Wing Commander W E "Tim" Thomas OBE, AFC, died recently in Portugal at the age of 87, following a long period of illness.

He was born in Wells and brought up in Croscombe, where his father ran a garage (many in Croscombe will remember an old petrol pump which stood for there for years – it was installed by Tim's father). After his father died in the 1930s, the family (mother and five children) moved to Weston-super-Mare.

"Tim" Thomas's parents first took him flying when he was just five years old. He last took the controls of an aircraft 80 years later in a birthday-present flight over the Algarve. In the years between he flew many types of aircraft, ranging from bi-plane Tiger Moths to supersonic Javelins and Lightnings. He was at the controls of a Blenheim 1 light bomber in 1941 when he was shot down over Holland and crashed into the sea. After his capture and treatment for severe injuries, he was held for well over three years in the Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp, where he took part in the tunnelling operations made famous in The Great Escape.

Long after the Second World War, it was as the commanding officer of RAF Labuan, in Malaysia, during the Indonesian confrontation period, that he was awarded the OBE. Malaysia was one of several overseas postings, his last being in Germany, where he met his wife-to-be, Sybille. On retiring from the RAF in 1967 he joined the production of The Battle of Britain, flying German Heinkels and Messerschmitts during five months of filming in Spain.

Following his subsequent 15-year career in management consultancy in Germany and Saudi Arabia, Wing Commander and Mrs Thomas came to live permanently in the Algarve in 1985, although Tim continued his association with the British forces, engaging in charity work on behalf of disadvantaged and disabled ex-service personnel and their families.

Adam Thomas (nephew)

Mr Kieth Watts, of Glastonbury

The funeral of Kieth Watts took place at St John's Church, Glastonbury, on October 2. The service was conducted by the Rev Martin Mudie.

Kieth (the spelling always used by Mr Watts and his family) passed away at Yeovil Hospital on September 19, aged 74.

Family mourners were: Mary Watts (wife); Tina and Geoff Sherriff (daughter and son-in-law); Linda and Peter Nurse (daughter and son-in-law); Vicky and Anis Gharbi (daughter and son-in-law); Steve and Monica Watts (son and daughter-in-law); Stephen and Louise Thorne (stepson and wife); Gavin and Emma Nurse (grandson and wife); Lucy and Matt Lambert (granddaughter and husband); Pete and Min Watts (brother and sister-in-law) rep Kayleigh Lock and Bill; Bill and Jean Watts (brother and sister-in-law); Mary and Greg Anvik (sister and brother-in-law); Mr G Grenter (brother-in-law); Lisa Burgess (niece) rep Pat; Robert and Angela Watts, Rebecca and Antony, Sandra Watts rep Keith Mirto (nephews and nieces); Mrs M King (auntie) rep Maureen; Max and Doreen King, Jo Watts and Kathleen, Junior Long, Tom Watts rep Corrina and Robert, Jean Fry, Barbara Carey, Marlene and Tim Carnage rep John Bridges (cousins).

Other mourners: Tacker Den Paul; Mrs Sarah Sweet rep Adrian Sweet; Steve Harris; Helen rep Ray and Alan; Helen Morris rep John Morris; Karen and Roger Morris rep Gemma; Jim Love; Josie Fisher rep Uncle Jack, Connie, Luke and Jane; Rose Smith rep Edwards family; Linda Mullins rep Paul and Terry Mullins; Bernice Fellows rep Janet Fellows; Bill King; Rob Witcombe; Terry and Hilary Napper; Alan Bolton rep A Mullins; Paul Dyer rep Miss J Plumley and S Webster; Keith Baskerville rep Mrs T Baskerville; D Lovell rep Tony Tweed; Antony and Becky Wilson; Mr and Mrs S Harris; Mrs K Melluish rep family.

The funeral arrangements were carried out and this obituary was provided by M Franks and Sons, Bath Road, Ashcott.