17/02/2026
Remembering Bill Ince today and every day.
40 years ago today Bill Ince sadly passed away.
The extract bellow is taken from the Wribbenhall Parish church magazine and was written by Rev David Crowhurst.
BILL INCE RIP
Although most people in our town were aware that Bill was seriously ill
especially in his last few weeks everybody who knew him was saddened by his untimely death at the comparatively young age of 46.
Although the cause of his death was unlike that of his father, Bert, they were much the same age and their Anniversaries almost coincide. Ever a thoughtful and helpful boy, Bill grew up in Wribbenhall, a Wribbenhall much different from today's. He was popular among his friends and contemporaries and well liked by those older than himself. When Bert died suddenly at a Parish Room Valentine Ball, Bill was compassionately discharged from the Army (he was serving his National Service in Aden) so that he could assume the responsibilities that the family business entailed.
As I have said before, Bill gave more than a service tor the people of Bewdley - he offered a ministry. As well as very sympathetic help and advice on practical matters to people in vulnerable circumstances in their bereavements, he followed up many lonely folk in the following weeks and months, and could call on his own resources of humour combined with understanding.
He was well respected by many, many clergy in the handling of funerals and I in particular was grateful for Bill's knowledge of Churchyard and Parish. He combined this with fun in the social life of the town where he mixed easily with all he met. This was brought out in his funeral when Wribbenhall church was packed out with people who sat or stood and many others who stood outside: even more had gathered on the Bridge for his last journey. His own funeral arranged entirely by himself, fulfilled two ambitions (to close the Bakery, and to see All Saints packed out) and was an occasion of sadness mixed with love and thanksgiving.
B INCE GOES ON- the traditions which Bert and Bill laid are continued by Janet and Andrew, Chris Hart and Fred Gibbs. On the following Monday it was business as usual and Bewdley folk may be assured that the love and ministry remain.
So Janet, Andrew, Debbie and Ruth, Nancy (Bill's Mum), and all the rest of a large family, to all of whom Bill was an important cornerstone in their lives, we offer our love, our sympathy and our prayers for the future.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE..... AND RISE IN GLORY.
DC.
The Vicar, Churchwardens and PCC of All Saints' are most grateful to Bill and Janet and their family for their generosity. At Bill's funeral it was "family flowers only" and donations invited to the cost of reordering the Vestry screen This project for which plans are drawn up awaiting contractors' estimates (and a Faculty) will be undertaken this year and made a memorial to Bill. Donations amount to over £1500 (at the time of writing) which we are most grateful to acknowledge: amounts are still being received.
