WILLIAM Didham spent more than three decades in the publishing industry and devoted his retirement to community projects.

The 91-year-old died peacefully at his home in Poole on Wednesday, October 22, surrounded by his family.

William, known as Bill to his friends and family, was born in Plymouth in 1923 and moved to Southampton in 1939. He joined the Royal Navy in 1942, serving as a lead coder attached to Gen. Eisenhower’s headquarters in Algiers. He was subsequently assigned to Malta and in 1946 completed his service at the Admiralty.

After moving to Dorset Bill joined the Bournemouth Times in 1954 as an accountant and retired in 1986 as director and general manager of Southernprint in Poole. He was also a director of the Advertiser.

William married Brenda 64 years ago and together they had two children, Christy and Roger. He later became grandfather to Drew, Elizabeth and Joanna.

Bill was a keen supporter of Southampton Football Club for more than 70 years and was also a member of Mensa.

Following his retirement, he devoted his time to charity and community projects.

He was a member of Parkstone Rotary Club for twenty years and was a founder member of the Friends of Dolphin, which provides financial support for free trips in Poole Harbour for disabled persons of all ages and disabilities.

Bill also founded Poole Stroke Club in 1985 and ran the group until he had to step down due to health concerns at the age of 80.

He received a variety of awards for his community work. In 1990 he was given a Paul Harris Fellowship, Rotary International’s highest honour for service before self. He received the Stroke Association’s 2003 Life After Stroke award in the volunteer category and in 2004 he was awarded the Poole Achievement Award for voluntary service to the borough.

His daughter Christy said: “After his retirement he spent 20 years working on community service projects.

“He was wonderful. Everybody thinks their father is but he really was a totally honest, very hardworking and decent man who gave thousands and thousands of hours to good causes.”