Bill Henry RIP

[eastern wiseguy]

Just to let anyone who knew or worked with Bill that he passed away this morning (Saturday 8th May).

He was a character who dominated ATC at Belfast and beyond for as many years as I care to remember. He was a first class guy and he will be very sadly missed by us all.

Funeral arrangements will follow.

Bill Adair



Mods ..would you oblige and make this a sticky please?

[Take up the Hold]

Very sad news.
My condolences to his family.
Aldergrove will be a different place without him.

TUTH

[Tower Ranger]

Bill was one of the first Controllers that I ever met back in 1988 at aptitude testing in Belfast and a guy that I was fortunate enough to keep in touch with both through work and through the Aldergrove ECC Football. A sad loss to all who knew him.
My thoughts and condolences to his family and to the ATC family at Belfast.

Mark.

[PPRuNe Radar]

Sorry to hear the news. Definitely a character and I remember having a few beers with him at various post meeting sessions over the years. A hard man, but a fair one in my recollection.

RIP Bill.

[eyeinthesky]

What sad news!

Bill was one of the few senior managers within NATS recently who refused to bow to the tide of 'corporate speak' (talking of conversations, challenge and starting everything with SO) and said when he thought an idea was wrong. He led with candour and fairness. another good'un gone.

Condolences to the team at Aldergrove.

[Guy D'ageradar]

I still have very fond memories of my first 5 years at Aldergrove, with Bill as "the boss".

Sadly, I didn't see him on my last visit a few years ago.

Condolences to all.

[Standard Noise]

Sad news indeed, always found Bill to be a decent spud. He was a big charactar who I'm sure will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Condolences to his family and colleagues at Aldergrove.

[man friday]

Was group manager including Fantasy Island for a very short time.

Made the effort to visit the troops,

A Big Bloke, No Bull****.

Air Traffic needs managers like him.

Rest in Peace

[Stupendous Man]

Very sad news indeed, condolences to his all his family and friends.

RIP Bill


SM

[Mr_Grubby]

Very sad news to hear. He was a great guy.

I will always remember, many years back now, Bill, Steve Harkins, Bill Adair and myself sitting in my garden drinking copious amounts of my home brew ale. What a laugh we had.

Rest in Peace Bill.

Clint.

[qwerty2]

Bill was always a character and boy do we need more like him.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[safetyisourtoppriority]

Shocking news and dreadfully sad. My thoughts are with his family and close friends who have lost a top geezer.

Bill was respected by all who met and knew him and my memories of him during my period as a GM will be treasured - thanks for all the laughs!

[eastern wiseguy]

Folks here are the details .

Bill's funeral will take place on Tuesday 11th. May, at Willowfield Parish Church, Woodstock Road, Belfast at 11 a.m.

Bill Adair

[arrffaa]

shocking news indeed. bill and i trained together at bournemouth and then at aldergrove - me in the tower and bill downstairs. how we got away with it i'll never know!
a super bloke with a terrific sense of fun and laughter who will be missed by all who know him.

see you bill.
jc :sad:

[eastern wiseguy]

Bill was laid to rest this morning .It was a cold sleety Irish spring morning.The eulogy by his sons was warm witty and affectionate. There may well have been a few bits of dust in the atmosphere .I certainly seemed to catch some in my eyes. The church was packed with friends colleagues senior management and the odd professional golfer.The numbers attending paid tribute to the esteem in which he was held.

He was a larger than life personality. ATC is poorer for his passing.

Thanks to all for the kind comments. I will ensure they are passed on.

[Startrek]

800 people at the Church standing room only! Your 3 boys were amazing as was Denise. What a rock Bob Cummings has been to you, Belfast us all.

Bill you were the best we all loved you, we miss you so much already!

[SoftTop]

I'm stunned by the news. Bill was one of the few GM's that seemed to, somehow, navigate the tricky management "career" trail by just being ... Bill.

He always had time for all staff at any unit he was visiting and his brusque style was a breath of fresh air when compared to the cow-towing nonsense from other senior management wannabees.

His knowledge of internal politics and how to work with it was much appreciated by this scribe.

His shoes will never be filled. Sadly missed.

[Viscount Wisley]

I haven't been moved to enter the prune community until I spoted this on a rare visit to the site. My sincere condolences to the family and also to his extnded family at AA especially BOB AND Bill A et al.

Fantastic guy, will be missed greatly. I can never look at a bottle of Smirnoff Blue without thinking of his bizzarre half time talks at ECC tournies!