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His friends in Australia describe him as ‘indomitable’, ‘likeable’ and ‘a great man’. Before leaving for Australia, Billy worked as an engineering storeman at – 1. Scottish Aviation, Prestwick 2. Glenfield and Kennedy, Kilmarnock 3. Handley Page, Reading His wife, Molly, became an artist after she retired from management in retail distribution. Her works in oils are sought after in Australia. Billy was one of nine children born to THOMAS McCULLOCH and CHARLOTTE SIMPSON. Thomas was a journeyman shoemaker who specialized as a boot top cutter. Thomas’s aunt, Helen Harris, was married to John Lees, proprietor of the well known Boot and Shoe Factory in Maybole. Billy had no issue of his own but he has nephews and nieces in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, U.S.A. as well as in U.K. His nephew and namesake is William (Bill) Simpson McCulloch. Bill was born and educated in Maybole and he retires on 11 July 2005 in Queensland, Australia after a career in telecommunications with the Merchant Navy, Radio Australia and Queensland Rail. Bill also owned racehorses. His most famous win was in the Capricorn Classic in 1999 when his horse “Semi Fine” came in first. The tribute above contributed by John McCulloch. Below is a copy of the valedictory address to Billy made by Chris McDonald of Adelaide. ************************************************************************* “WILLIAM SIMPSON McCulloch -‘BILLY’ TO ALL OF US "WHAT A LIFE THIS MAN HAS HAD. BILLY MARRIED MOLLY IN 1962 AND TOGETHER THEY LIVED LIFE TO THE FULLEST. I HAVE KNOWN THEM BOTH SINCE THEY ARRIVED FROM THE U.K. IN 1979. "THEY SETTLED IN A TOWN CALLED PORT ARLINGTON IN VICTORIA VERY SIMILAR TO VICTOR HARBOR WITH MOLLY’S SON ALLAN CLOSE BY. THEY RETIRED TO AUSTRALIA TO START A NEW LIFE AND ARRIVED WITH VERY LITTLE, THEY SET THEMSELVES UP AND ONLY EVER RENTED 2 PROPERTIES IN THE PORT. "MOLLY PAINTED PICTURES AND BILLY MADE THE FRAMES AND THEY EARNED QUITE A FEW DOLLARS FROM THEIR HOBBY. BILLY ENJOYED INDOOR BOWLS AND GARDENING AND MANY, MANY HOURS WERE SPENT ON CROSSWORD PUZZLES AND SHARING THE HOME DUTIES WITH HIS WIFE. BILLY LOVED THE HORSES AND WHAT HE DID NOT KNOW DID NOT MATTER. I CAN REMEMBER ONE WEEKEND WHEN THEY DROVE OVER TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED MOLLY WAS EXHAUSTED,…………. THE REASON………BILLY HAD THE CAR HEATER ON …………HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE AIR CONDITIONER. WHEN BILLY’S BELOVED MOLLY PASSED ON LATE IN 2002 WE ALL TALKED ABOUT THE FUTURE AND DECIDED THAT BILL COULD STAY IN VICTORIA AND SEE HOW THINGS WENT. …………5 OR 6 MONTHS LATER IN MAY 2003 I WENT OVER TO BUY A UNIT FOR BILL AND WAS PROMPTLY TOLD HE WAS COMING TO ADELAIDE AT OLIVE’S REQUEST, OLIVE WAS MY MOTHER IN LAW, LITERALLY 2 DAYS LATER HE WAS HERE. UNFORTUNATELY 12 WEEKS LATER OLIVE PASSED AWAY. MY WIFE AND I HAD NO HESITATION AND QUICKLY INVITED BILLY TO LIVE WITH US. THIS IS WHEN I REALLY GOT TO KNOW THIS MAN. HIS EXPERIENCES BE IT WITH THE SPITFIRE AEROPLANES DURING THE WAR OR THE SILICON CHIP ARE ASTOUNDING, HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY WOULD PUT GAI WATERHOUSE TO SHAME. WHILST BILLY WAS WITH US HE WAS PROBABLY THE CLUEYEST PERSON AT 91 YEARS OF AGE THAT I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE TO KNOW. BILLY WE LOVE YOU NOW AND FOR ALWAYS, BE AT PEACE AND ENJOY THE PARTY UPSTAIRS.” |
