 Fred
Willis, 1942 - 2011
Yorkshire Evening Post article
tributes to
fred@squashsite.co.uk
Top dad, top
husband, top ‘Pop’, top writer, top man! Much-loved and much
missed. –
Margaret, Helen Richard, Gary, Nicola and your four lovely
grandchildren Hannah, Charlie, Thomas and Alfie. xx
Helen Nash
Fred was one of the greats
of a breed which is sadly dying: the ‘regional press squash
correspondent’.
I knew him for more years than I care to remember – and all
the time he successfully reworked local, national and
international squash news to make sure that his YEP readers
had the best Yorkshire version.
He was a magnificent ambassador for our sport and will be
very sadly missed
Howard Harding
Fred was a lovely man and
looked after the BSPA’s press needs for over a decade. It
was always a pleasure to deal with him, and just great to
chat to him on the phone before each event when he would
meticulously go through where each player was from having
not been able to read my hand writing!
Top man, rest well Fred.
Tim Garner
His contribution to squash over
the years has been incredible. ESR awarding Fred an
Outstanding Contribution to Squash award at the National
Championships in 2009. Malcolm Willstrop presented Fred with
his very well deserved award in recognition for his long
serving support of squash in England.
Fred will be greatly missed by all involved in squash
especially in his native Yorkshire where many of us relied
on Fred to accurately report on matches and events
throughout the county and beyond.
Jim Lord
All in Yorkshire, players and
county administrators alike, are extremely saddened to learn
that Fred had passed away. Fred had provided a unique
service to Yorkshire squash for many years reporting the
results of Yorkshire league matches and other activities in
his column in the Evening Post. In particular, Fred was keen
to encourage Yorkshire juniors and was constantly seeking
out information on which players had performed well at the
various events. Apart from his dedication what was most
impressive about Fred was his attention to detail sometimes
making numerous phone calls to ensure his facts were
correct.
He will be greatly missed by those involved in Yorkshire
squash and our deepest sympathy is extended to his family.
Jeff Williams
On behalf of Yorkshire squash.
It is with great sadness that I
learn of Fred’s passing. Fred was a dedicated servant of the
great sport of squash in Yorkshire as an ever present
reporter of all things Yorkshire squash. He always ensured
that any successes involving Yorkshire squash players was
presented to the community through the medium of the
Yorkshire Evening Post. He was an integral part of the boom
in squash in Yorkshire on both a national and international
scale. He was probably the reason why elite squash has
become such a integral part of the county’s culture.
Fred’s consistent and regular reports were to be relied
upon. It was only fitting that England Squash should
recognised his contribution to squash and make their special
award to him for services to the sport he served so well. It
is especially sad to consider that Fred may well be
remembered as one of the last of a dying breed of squash
writers able to contribute regular column inches in the
printed medium when it is such a struggle against the
background of priorities given to other sports and the lack
of space to fill.
I first met Fred as an up and coming junior in Yorkshire
when he would always keep in touch with me, following my
career on behalf of the newspaper through County Closed
championships and beyond. He was always genial, supportive,
a great enthusiast and regular attendee at events he could
get to. His commitment was unquestioned and highly valued.
Fred will be sorely missed and my deepest sympathies
especially go to his family in their sadness, while at the
same time mourning the loss of a truly devoted squash man.
Ian Robinson
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Magdi Saad,
1954 - 2011
Jack Flynn, 1941 - 2011
John Dale, 1976 - 2010
Atef Khalifa, 1960 - 2010
Ian Wright, 1933 - 2009
Jean Reynolds, 1948 - 2009
Neil Desai, 1986 - 2008
Stephen Cox, 1956 - 2008
Peter
Kramer, 1948 - 2005
40 years of Squash
It was with
great sadness that I heard that Fred had died. He was a
mannered, civilised man, whose contribution to the game of
squash, through his sustained and dedicated work for the
Yorkshire Evening Post, cannot be underestimated.
It helps to know that I was present when England Squash paid
tribute to him for his work and his modest pride that day is
something I will always remember.
You will be much missed, Fred, and thanks for everything.
Malcolm Willstrop
The words
unsung and understated would be appropriate for Fred. For so
many years now squash has had representation in one of the
prominent regional newspapers, the Yorkshire Evening Post,
every Tuesday.
Fred wrote this tennis and squash column and the amount of
time and effort this demanded of him is immeasurable. He did
a great service to squash in the Yorkshire region, and few
may know it.
I remember clearly our regular telephone conversations after
major tournaments. He was always genuinely interested and
delighted in the success of the region's players. I
appreciated his support and honest reports greatly.
I remember Fred as a gentle, warm man. It's so sad to hear
the news.
He will be missed; my best wishes to his family.
James Willstrop
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