Bill Holmes, who was head electrician at the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times for more than 20 years, has died, aged 83.

He was persuaded to joined the group in 1957 and o after proving his talents at working for Oxford-based electrical contractors Hill Upton, where he trained as an apprentice.

Over the next 22 years Mr Holmes would became a familiar face to Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times employees both at the New Inn Hall Street offices and later at new offices in Osney Mead.

One of his biggest challenges was helping to oversee the move from New Inn Hall Street to Osney Mead in the early 1970s.

Current head engineer Nigel Waters, an apprentice under Mr Holmes, recalls: "He was very much a perfectionist and a conscientious person. I can remember a few occasions where we worked through the night to make sure the paper came out."

Mr Holmes, of who lived most recently in Tumbling Bay Court, off Botley Road, Oxford, was born in west Oxford and lived most of his life in the same square mile - apart from short spells in Kidlington and Paignton, Devon.

He was married to his wife Phyllis in 1940 and the couple had a son, David. After his retirement in 1979, Bill devoted his time to gardening and using his talents to help others.

His son David said: "People were forever bringing him things to him to repair, such as kettles and irons. He had even been repairing someone's iron on the day he died."

Mr Holmes died suddenly from a heart attack on September 3, five days short of his 84th birthday. His funeral was being held at St John's Chapel, Oxford Crematorium today.

Mr Holmes leaves a widow, son and three grandchildren.

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