OKEHAMPTON All Saints Parish Church was filled with sympathisers for the service of celebration for the life of William Gunn Voaden (Bill), who died suddenly at the age of 77.

The Rev Stephen Cook conducted the service, Ian Cann was organist and John Hockridge, a lifelong friend and joint chairman with Bill of Okehampton and District Agricultural Show, gave the tribute.

Ron Packer, a close friend, read a selection of verses from the Bible.

Chosen bearers were all close family friends: Messrs Ross Campbell, Courtenay Heard, John Hodge, Neil Ley, Ian Littlejohns and Ivor Pellow.

Bill was born at Youlditch Farm, Okehampton, and after his time at school returned to work at home on the family farm.

He married Pam and together they farmed for more than 43 enjoyable years before retiring to Okehampton.

Unfortunately, after more than 48 years of marriage Pam died on 28 February 2003.

Mr Hockridge said Bill was always involved with the Okehampton Young Farmers? Club, he was an active member of Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, and Meldon Village Hall Committee where he served for more than 50 years and for which he received a tankard.

He was also on Okehampton and District?s Agricultural Show Committee. Okehampton Show was his great interest and love. In 1977 he was the hard working president, after which he became the chairman, an office he held for more than 27 years.

Under his chairmanship and guidance the show moved to Stoney Park and seemed to expand each year. Bill, although in poor health, attended the 2003 show and was delighted to meet many of his farming friends.

He also spent much time each year until his retirement driving the Okehampton

Carnival Queens around the area. He attended Hatherleigh market most weeks while farming.

Mr Hockridge concluded his tribute by saying that each one of the sympathisers had lost a good friend and neighbour who would be sadly missed.

Family mourners and close friends: Mrs Joyce Weeks, sister; Mr and Mrs David Weeks, nephew and wife; Mr and Mrs Ross Campbell, close family friends (rep Sarah and Will), Mr and Mrs A Voaden, cousins, Mr and Mrs S Hannaford, cousins (Mrs E Hannaford, Mrs A Hannaford, Faye and Ian, Mrs J Heathman), Mr and Mrs L Petherbridge, Mrs G Thatcher, Mr and Mrs G Turner, James and Tara, Mr and Mrs E Stanbury (W J Stanbury), F Martin, brother-in-law; Miss H Parr.

Sympathisers: Messrs and Mesdames F Barlow, J Cunliffe, C Curtis, J Rattenbury, Philip Heard (Nigel and Lynda), Morley Vallance, J Tennant, N Hines, J Hockridge, Ken Heard (David Heard), Roger Vick (Hatherleigh Market), J Nancekivell, B Lavis, G Medland (Tavistock, Mrs J Medland, J Medland and family), T Daintree, R Newton, R Banbury.

Messrs J Perkins (Cyprus), D Pellow (Mrs L Pellow and Alice, Mr and Mrs H Pellow, Mr and Mrs P James and family), R Vallance (family), C Trigger, L Rodgers, V Wooldridge,W Down (Mrs M Down), R G Horn, D Paske, M J Cole (Mrs R Cole), M Wooldridge, J Hawking (Mr and Mrs N Joy), T Hill, J Harding (Mrs D Harding), P Green (Mrs A Green), R Packer, S Ley, R Darch, S Whattler (Oke NFU), John Heard (Mrs S Heard), P J Balsam (Simpkins Edwards), R Mowlam, P Burgess, Peter Heard, D Chapman and Amy, E Chowings, Ponsford (Mrs M Ponsford), R Piper (Mrs E Piper), R Sampson (family and Mole Avon), W Guest (Mrs P Guest), P Friend, J Endacott (Mrs S Endacott, Mr and Mrs W Hitchings), J Orchard (family), J Wale (Mrs D Wale), Bob Barrett, H Richards (Oke and Dist Agricultural Show), Paul Stanbury, M Littlejohns, R Littlejohns.

Mesdames B Burnett (John Burnett MP), F King (E King), H Cann (family), E Mounce, F Luxton (D Luxton, Mr and Mrs E Williamson), J Down (P Down), H Alford (R Alford), C Lavis (M Lavis and family), B Wooldridge (Mrs J Heard), J Reddaway, Constance Heard, S Heard (Diane and Gillian), E Slee, C Heard (Mr and Mrs D Holland, Mr and Mrs David Vick, Gordon Vick and Partners), M Watts (K Watts), D Martin (John Martin and family), S Hodge (R Woodcock, D Reddaway), T Stanlake (B Kivell), M Jewell (J Jewell and A Jewell), S Stanbury (D Stanbury, S Endacott-Phillips (Lyndridge), R York (J York),G Oliver (Oke and Dist Agricultural Show), M Yeo (Tony Beard), P Bater.

Misses E Dunford (Lyndridge), N Hill, M Sampson (H Cooper and family).