Bill Beattie
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of volunteer, Bill Beatie, who died on the 1st September.
Bill was born in Montrose and after leaving school he served an electrician’s apprenticeship in a canning factory in Montrose. His first move was to GlaxoSmithKline in Montrose where he worked as a shift electrician. He quickly gained promotion to the position of Training and Development Manager and in 1999 moved to Glaxo in Barnard Castle. His next move took him to Glaxo at Greenford where he commuted every weekend to his home in Staindrop. He took early retirement at the age of 50.
Bill always showed an interest in Tees Cottage and was welcomed into the fold where his engineering knowledge was quickly put to use around the site. He was particularly interested in the gas engine and became a highly-valued member of the team, working on the engine and associated equipment in the building.
In recent weeks Bill was instrumental in the renovation of the spare gas engine piston, which had been left, unloved, for many years. In addition, he helped to strip down the gas engine’s south cylinder, in order to cure an annoying water leak that had frustrated the team for several years, and refurbished and re-erected the access ladder to the upper floor of the gas producer plant
In addition to the above, Bill’s engineering knowledge and management skills were utilised to the full when he developed an action plan for all outstanding work in the gas engine house.
Away from the pumping station, Bill enjoyed several long trips around the world with his wife Irene. They visited all fifty states in the USA and went on six cruises. At home he enjoyed golf, cycling and motor cycling.
Bill worked well with volunteers and was liked and respected by everyone. He will be greatly missed.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Irene and their daughter, son and four grandchildren.
George Beautyman and Martyn Brown