BOURNEMOUTH Evening Echo linotype operator William ‘Bill’ Spencer died peacefully on December 19, aged 94.

Mr Spencer started his career as an apprentice printer with the Bournemouth Guardian in 1933 and remained in the industry until his retirement in 1984.

During the Second World War he served in Germany, as well as enduring the India and Burma campaigns, and after the war ended he joined the Auxiliary Air Force and worked on radar at Sopley.

In 1954 he moved to the Echo building in Richmond Hill to become a linotype operator.

He and a small team of dedicated printers worked on 15 two-tonne linotype machines when he started at the Echo, pressing ink onto the pages with cast lead lettering, but over the years these were replaced with larger presses.

By 1962 the Echo was running two 130 tonne presses alongside 80 tonne machines.

After work Mr Spencer would often play bowls in Meyrick Park, or go jogging on a three mile route around the golf course. He lived in Cornelia Crescent in Branksome.

By the 1980s, however, times were changing as computer-set pages began to replace the traditional printing press, and it became more economical to produce multiple papers in one location.

Mr Spencer retired in 1984, intending to spend his time gardening, swimming and jogging, and generally keeping fit and active with his wife Mary.

To help him with his garden, he was presented with a hedge-cutter and trays and shading for his greenhouse by his colleagues.

A great-grandfather, he and Mary were married for 65 years and celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary five years ago.