21/10/2025
On behalf of the family, we share the below announcement;
In Loving Memory of William ‘Bill’ Hockey
1951 – 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Hockey on 8th October 2025. After several years of battling through various ailments with the support of his loving wife and family, he passed away at home, aged 74.
Bill was a proud Lancastrian, having been brought up on Hala and living in several local areas throughout his life. On leaving school, he pursued the profession of nursing and took on a job at the Royal Albert Hospital, where he rose through the ranks to nursing management level.
On closure of the RAH, Bill and his wife Caroline had a period running a local newsagents, before he re-entered the nursing profession on the neurosurgical ward at Preston Royal Infirmary. He then had a job in a community team, working with patients rehabilitating from head injuries and other brain conditions.
Outside of work, you may remember Bill as a keen sportsman. Starting at an early age, Bill played in local football and cricket leagues, as well as taking a leadership role in running the RAH football and cricket teams. When age started to catchup with him, he naturally moved into football refereeing, and officiated across the North West region. (He assured us all his decisions were good and justified!)
He was a fair and loyal man, fondly remembered for his larger than life presence and sense of humour. He was always ready to help people out and actively supported the underdog. (Not only on a one to one level, but also as a loyal lifetime supporter of Preston North End!)
Nothing was more important to Bill than family. A loving husband to Caroline. A proud father to Shaun, James and their partners Katie and Hannah. A cherished grandad to Anya and Marcus. And his most important role as the ‘Dogfather’ to Ben and Bob and his other 5 Old English Sheepdogs, no longer with us. He will be deeply missed by all.
Bill leaves behind a strong legacy of love and laughter etched in the hearts of those who knew him. He will be forever missed but never forgotten.
We will be holding a small private funeral service for Bill for close family but there will be an opportunity for people to pay their respects to him at the Fox & Goose (Bowerham) at 16:00 on 27th October 2025. All are welcome to attend and raise a glass in his memory.
As Bill was an avid gardener he believed flowers were best kept in the ground. However, if you would like to donate in Bill’s memory, please donate to Marc, the son of one of his best friend’s Kevin Molloy. Marc will be running the London Marathon this year in aid of St John’s Hospice. (Please see link below).
