| Location | Acton, Middlesex, England, Uk |
| Age | 85 years |
| Cause of Death | Cancer |
| Date of Birth | 14/03/1914 |
| Date of Death | 12/07/1999 |
| Visitors | 1,004 since 20/01/2009 |
| Creator |
William John Owen Rowbotham MBE (14 March 1914 – 12 July 1999), better known as Bill Owen, was an
English actor and songwriter.
Born in London, he made his first film appearance in 1945 but only achieved lasting fame in the
1970s when he took the starring role of Compo Simmonite in the long-running British sitcom, Last of
the Summer Wine. Owen's character is a scruffy working-class pensioner, often made use of by the
characters played by Michael Bates, Brian Wilde, Michael Aldridge and Frank Thornton for dirty jobs,
stunts and escapades, while his indomitably docile friend Peter Sallis follows and watches with a
smirk. He wore a woollen hat and spent much of his time lusting after dowdy housewife, Nora Batty.
As Compo, Owen saw off several co-stars. The series, starting in 1973, is today the world's
longest-running comedy series. Owen became an icon, a darling of its audience and central to its
success and episodes for 27 years, right until his death. The threesome of Compo, Clegg and Foggy
(this third character was initially Blamire, played by Michael Bates and when Brian Wilde's Foggy
took a hiatus, by Michael Aldridge's Seymour Utterthwaite) remains the most popular group of three
the show ever produced.
In 1958, Owen presented a music panel/programme titled Dad You're A Square for ATV - it ran for one
series - and only one episode exists in the archive of ITV. On the series Floyd On TV - the
one-series follower to Clive James On Television - Floyd showed viewers a clip from the show
(leaving the audience to work out who the "to be" scruffy presenter was).
During the 1960s, Owen had a successful second career as a songwriter, with compositions including
the hit, Marianne, recorded by Cliff Richard. He at this time also collaborated with songwriter Tony
Russell on musical The Matchgirls about the London matchgirls strike of 1888.
Owen was an active supporter of the Labour Party and a founding member of the Keep Sunday Special
campaign group. He was awarded the MBE in 1976.
Bill Owen also had a cameo appearance in Brideshead Revisited as Lunt, Charles Ryder's scout, during
his college days at Oxford University. He also starred in several Lindsay Anderson films including O
Lucky Man! and In Celebration.
He continued working right up to his death from pancreatic cancer on 12 July 1999 (his son Tom
Owen's 50th birthday).His actor son, Tom Owen, was written into the series after his death. The
storyline was that Compo knew he was terminally ill but chose not to tell Truly and Clegg, instead
writing to his son with whom he has lost contact. The son however does not make it in time to his
father's funeral but remains in the area afterwards. Bill is buried in the churchyard of St John's
Parish Church, Upperthong, in his beloved town of Holmfirth in Yorkshire, the home of Last of the
Summer Wine.
POPPY DAY.XXX
'Please wear a poppy', the lady said
and held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old, and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came wistling down the street,
Bouncing along, on care free feet
His smile was full of joy and fun,
'Lady', said he, 'May I have one?'
When she pinned it on, he turned to say,
'Why do we wear a poppy today?'
The lady smiled in her wistful way,
and answered, 'This is Rememberance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for,
the gallant men who died in war,
and because they died you and I are free--
Thats why we wear a poppy, you see'.
'I had a boy about your size,
with golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by, he learned and grew
and became a man--as you will, too.'
'He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
but he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away,
I still remember his face that day.
When he smiled at me and said'Good-bye,
I'll soon be back, mom, so please don't cry'.
'But the war went on and he had to stay,
and all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it in my dreams at night),
with the tanks and guns and cruel Barbed wire,
and the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.'
'Till at last the war was won-
and thats why we wear a poppy son'.
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said 'Thanks lady, i'm glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son-- did he come back alright?'
A tear rolled down each faded cheek;
she shook her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
and if you were me you'd have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, is oft delayed,
though our freedome was bought-and thousands paid.
And so when we see a poppy worn, let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave their very all
and asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy. Remember-- and give!
Lest we forget.
THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DONE FOR US IN WW11.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET.
WEEK STARTING 2ND NOVEMBER.
♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥
FOR MONDAY
In our hearts your memory lingers,
Sweetly tender, fond and true,
There is not a day, dear Loved One
That we do not think of you.
FOR TUESDAY
Nothing can ever take away
The love a heart holds dear.
Fond memories linger every day
Remembrance keeps them near.
FOR WEDNESDAY
Looking back with memories,
Upon the path you trod,
We bless the hours we had with you,
And leave the rest with God.
FOR THURSDAY
Those we love we never lose,
For always they will be,
Loved, remembered, treasured,
Always in our memory.
FOR FRIDAY
Memories Of Me
I’d like the memory of me
To be a happy one,
I’d like to leave an afterglow
Of smiles when life is done..
I’d like to leave an echo
Whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times
And bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve,
To dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave behind
When life is done.
FOR SATURDAY
Separated For Now
Although death has separated us physically,
Faith and love have bound us eternally.
Though we cannot see you,
We know you are here.
Though we cannot touch you,
We feel the warmth of your smile,
As we begin a new chapter in our lives.
Today we pause to reflect upon
Those who have shaped our character,
Molded our spirits and touched our hearts.
May the lighting of this candle be a
Reminder of the memories we have shared,
A representation of the everlasting
Impact you have made upon our lives.
FOR SUNDAY
A Special Gift
You were a gift sent straight from Heaven.
Given to us from God above.
We didn't know how much you would teach us
About the meaning of true love...
For true love sometimes means letting go
Of someone precious and dear.
That is what we were forced to do...
Although we wanted to keep you here!!!
However, this is quite a selfish wish.
One we know we should ignore...
But, sweet Angel, we truly do believe
That God must have needed you more...
Perhaps to be an Angel now,
Full of wisdom and love...
Watching over those of us who love you
From the shining stars above.
We miss you more than you can know.
You will never be replaced...
In our hearts and memories forever,
Will be your sweet and innocent sleeping face.
♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥AXC♥
Thoughts Today, Memories Forever
OUR FRIEND BILL.XXXXX
Wise Men Say
•◘♥○~•◘♥○~•◘♥○~•◘♥○~•◘♥○~•◘♥○~•◘♥○~•◘♥○~
Wise men talk of worlds beyond
Worlds beyond our eyes,
A wondrous place of love and peace
To which the spirit flies.
Wise men say we come again
To live another span,
That death is just a stepping stone
A pause within the plan.
Mystics say that many lives
Are needed to ensure,
A perfect understanding
Of God's eternal law.
Wise men say with smiling eyes
Our lives are but a dream,
A brief illusion clothed in flesh
A role within a scheme.
Wise men say that nothing dies
It only changes form,
That life goes on despite the myth
We perish in death's storm.
So when our loved ones pass away
Let hope replace our pain,
Have faith and trust that God ensures
We shall all meet again.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AN ANGEL OF GODS.XXXXX
*♥* Angel *♥*
Tear drops, slow and steady,
The pain so real and true,
God took another Angel,
And that Angel dear, was you.
Angel wings, upon the clouds,
Your body softly sleeps,
Hush now little Angel,
No more tears you have to weep.
Little prayers, are sent to you,
The short life you led,
Your family will never forget you,
So rest your little head.
I know God will look after you,
Now you are truly alive,
Your spirit soars beyond the moon,
Your legacy will survive.
You're beautiful, you're endless,
Now stretch your wings and fly,
Your loved by so many,
It will never be goodbye.
Close your little eyes,
No more tears, just go and rest,
Let your soul lie peacefully,
We know you did your best.
unknown
LOVE ALWAYS.XXXXX
GODS ANGEL.XXX
xxxxxxx One Wish, xxxxxxxxxxxxx♥
If i could wish upon a star ♥
♥ I would wish for you back here ♥
♥ I know you're happy where you are ♥
♥ But i miss you and want you near ♥
♥ Although i see you everyday ♥
♥ In my thoughts and in my dreams ♥
♥ I miss you more than words can say ♥
♥ It just gets worse, it seems ♥
♥ I try to be strong for others around ♥
♥ But all i want to do is cry ♥
♥ I just sit for hours by myself ♥
♥ And ask the question 'Why'? ♥
♥ It's the strongest pain I've ever felt ♥
♥ I don't think I could describe it ♥
♥ Although I try, I do my best ♥
♥ I don't think that I can hide it ♥
♥ My life will never be the same ♥
♥ That's why it's hard to bear ♥
♥ Because since the day you left us ♥
♥ I think that life's not fair ♥
♥ Some things seem not to matter now ♥
♥ Even things that mattered before ♥
♥ You have no idea what I would give up ♥
♥ To make this pain less sore ♥
♥ People say we'll meet again ♥
♥ And yeah I know that's true ♥
♥ But I wish it didn't have to be this way ♥
♥ Because you know how much I miss you ♥
♥ I love you with all my heart and soul ♥
♥ And there's one thing you need to know ♥
♥ There's not one person in the human race ♥
♥ That could ever take your place ♥
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
FOR YOU BILL. XXX
I have not turned my back on you,
so there is no need to cry.
I'm watching you from heaven,
just beyond the morning sky.
I've seen you almost fall apart,
when you could barely stand.
I asked the Lord to comfort you,
and watched him take your hand.
He told me you are in more pain,
then I could ever be.
He wiped his eyes and swallowed hard,
then gave your hand to me.
Although you may not feel my touch,
or see me by your side.
I've whispered that I love you,
while I wiped each tear you cried.
So please try not to ache for me,
we'll meet again one day,
beyond the dark and stormy sky,
a Rainbow lights the way
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
WITH LOVE,BILL
with love ︽☆︽ TIME TO FOLD YOUR ANGEL WINGS ︽☆︽
..............)............
.............((............ A ray of sunshine came & went
.............) \........... A beautiful treasure only lent
............( , ).......... A prayer
.........._ `|'_......... A tear
...........| () ||........ A memory so dear
...........|.....||....... Each day of our lives
...........|.....||........We wish you were here
...........|.....|..........
...........|.....|..........
...........|.....|..........
...........|.....|..........
..____|----|____.....
.(____________)...
︽☆︽ SWEET ANGEL ︽☆︽ SWEET DREAMS ︽☆︽
margaret
so sorry to hear you have gone and lefted us you where one of the best rest in peace bill xxx
A golden heart stopped beating Two smiling eyes at rest God broke our hearts To prove to us He only takes the best Lots of Love always xxx
love vicky x dave xxxxxx
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