The Society is sad to learn this week of the death of Bill Parish, at the age of 83.

The Society is sad to learn this week of the death of Bill Parish, at the age of 83.

Bill played many leading roles with London operatic societies from the age of 17.  He declined the offer of a place in Sadlers Wells Operatic Company before moving to Yeovil in 1957 and his first leading part for the Society was in Brigadoon in 1964.  Then followed various roles in the newly formed College Opera group of the 1960s, before Bill returned to the Society to play, over the ensuing years, more than 40 roles, many with his wife Thelma, either directing or acting beside him, until his retirement from performing at the age of 75.

People will remember Bill in many G&S roles, as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, as the Pirate King in the Broadway version of Pirates of Penzance, as Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady and as Hasler in The Pajama Game.  How could anyone forget his magical performance as King Arthur in Camelot?  His last role was as Honore in the Society’s 2005 production of Gigi.

Bill was a great entertainer and performer, a true gentleman, who will be very fondly remembered, and very sadly missed by all who knew him.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Thelma, Julie, John and Sarah and their respective families.

The Funeral Service will be held on Monday 30 September at 12 noon at Yeovil Crematorium.

20 September 2013

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