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William BLACK Obituary
BLACK,William Arthur (Bill): MBE
Peacefully at Rowena Jackson Retirement Home on July 1, 2020. Aged 76 years. Dearly loved husband and best friend of Shirley. Much loved father of Marlene and Jay. Special Dad of Michelle and Russell; Janine and Chris. Proud Grandad Bill of Mya and Ben. Loved brother and brother-in-law of John and June, Neil and Eileen, Margaret and the late Bruce McColl. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory to the Fiordland Search and Rescue would be appreciated. Special thanks to the wonderful staff in the Donovan and Salisbury wings of Rowena Jackson for your loving care of Bill. Bill's funeral service will be held on Friday, July 10, 2020, in the Fiordland Community Events Centre, 20-22 Luxmore Drive, Te Anau, commencing at 1.00pm. His funeral will also be live streamed for those unable to attend, http://livestream.com/accounts/10730215/events/9199444 Online tributes may be left on Bill's tribute page, frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes
Memories and Condolences
for William BLACK
18 Entries
Gail Singleton
July 11, 2020
So sad to hear of Bill's passing my parents (Ian and Dell Ritchie Ritchie Air Services)both thought the world of him as he was only 16 when Dad first started teaching him to fly.I have so many memories of him from my teenage years in Te Anau growing up, and Dad was so proud of the amazing pilot Bill was.. I watched the service on line and he would have been so thrilled to see so many folk there, and was a great tribute to a lovely man. My condolences to Shirley and the family, Fly free Bill. GAIL SINGLETON / RITCHIE
July 10, 2020
Deepest sympathy to the Black family for your loss of a legendary man.
John Pennicott & Whanau Putauhinu Island.
Ross Kerr
July 10, 2020
Shirley and the Black Family
My deepest sympathy on Bill's passing.
I have many fond memories of working with Bill in Fiordland over the years. He is truley a Fiordland Legend.
Fly free Bill and Rest in Peace.
Charles Ridgen
July 10, 2020
Happy memories of Bill flying us into our hunting blocks. Always enjoyed his vibrant personality and his skill of flying a chopper.
How you can show support
Lyndie Allen
July 9, 2020
I Remer Bill as a real gentleman who liked a glass or two. I was the barmaid at Manapouri hotel for many years in the 70s. One story I remember that Ron Boat wood Beaty told me was once at the Vintage club TeAnau they where working outside and saw Bill coming by helicopter with laden bucket water. They headed inside rapidly to the inevitable dropped bucket of water on corrugated shed. Bill always acknowledged me. Another piece of history gone but not forgotten. Hug to you Shirley you were a great team
Brian Hancock
July 9, 2020
Our 12 years of working with Bill on The Milford Track, was the most memorable, exciting & adventurous days of our lives. Bills professionalism was always consistent & unquestionable, which also became a personal friendship. Bills life stories are legendary & will live forever in the hearts of all the Milford Track Family. He is now flying in MY, again. Our sincere condolence's to Shirley, Marlene & his Family. Brian & Marlene Quintin Lodge 1988-2000
Alan Symon
July 7, 2020
When Bill was in the search and rescue with John von tunzelmann it was so reassuring to know that if anything should go wrong while working on venison recovery in Fiordland , Big Bay and the Catlins you just new he would find you , we had two search and rescues over the years that were serious for him to be called out both times found in 24 hours both damaged helicopters recovered he was pleased we had survived just minor injuries , he was solid like a rock , a nice friendly person you just always new he would do his best when you need help
Allan Graham
July 7, 2020
Deepest sympathy from Jan and Allan Graham.
We have fond memories of Bill and deeply saddened by his passing. This is a time to recall his fantastic and highly skilled exploits together with the camaraderie that we shared through Aviation and our time we shared together in Te Anau during the early 60's. RIP Bill your spirit lives on through your book and our memories
July 6, 2020
Sympathy to Bill's family. Have great memories of our time in Te Anau 1965-1978, when the late John worked at Tourist Air Travel. We were fortunate to have him as a friend. Bev Huston and family
Bill Mannix
July 6, 2020
Shirley and the Black family.
Please accept my deepest sympathy on Bill's passing.
I was fortunate to get to know and fly with him on a number of occasions during the seventies and eighties. Bill was a true legend who really did it his way!
Fly free at peace Bill. It was a privilege to have known you.
Bill Mannix JP
Ex Clifden Ranger Fiordland National Park 1977 - 1981
max thomas
July 5, 2020
RIP Bill, many happy memories on trips to the muttonbird islands to Poutama, and remember Bill taking Maru Bradshaw and myself on special flight around Poutama while we were filming in V.H.S.
Debbie Anderson
July 4, 2020
On behalf of Gordon Anderson,Debbie anderson and Stephen Anderson our condolences to Shirley and family, such a great man in every sense of the word,another *good bloke* from the *fiordland days* gone.
Glenn Dixon
July 3, 2020
RIP Bill Black. That you for your service. I met Bill in January 1976 on Mitre Peak in Milford Sound. I was with three other good buggers from the Palmerston North Tramping Club. We'd been climbing in the Darrens which is a an epic mountain range in Fjordland National Park. We were having a few days resting up and drinking beer at Milford Sound in our tent fly behind the kitchen to what was then the THC Hotel. We were drinking in the bar and met some crayfisherman who offered to take us across to the seawall of Mitre Peak the next morning. They'd pick us up on the way back and we'd do a gentle stroll up to the summit of Mitre Peak. Pretty straight forward really. The trickiest bit was climbing up the wet mossy Seawall, then tree to tree and onto the main ridge line between sinbad and mitre peak. A simple day trip. No need to take much gear. Good weather so light clothing and a raincoat. We were fit and experienced climbers who'd spent the better part of a month climbing, sleeping in snow caves and under rock bivvies. What could go wrong on this simple day trip.
About 100 metres from the summit I slipped on snow grass, dislocated my shoulder and started sliding toward the cliff edge. It was a vertical drop into the water 1600 metres below. Fortunately there was a big rock between myself and the edge so I was able to grab it.
The next 30 hours were misery. Some disprin, a raincoat (pretty good quality for those days but useless by today's standards) and some snacks. Keith (RIP) and Lindsay Sands went for help. No radios, cellphones or PLBs in those days. Just feet to walk out. They spent a miserable night tied to trees on the steep side of Mitre Peak trying to get to the beach. Tim Short stayed with me and kept my spirits up. The weather turned bad, rain, cloud and wind.
At about 4-5 pm the next day a huge Bell Jet Ranger helicopter flew right into our location with a basket underneath. Bill Black was flying this machine and appeared just when I was thinking another night up there might not be a good option.
Suddenly the pain went, we threw ourselves and our gear into the basket and across to Milford Sound.
A dr waiting there gave me a jab of something that took the pain away. We were going to fly to Te Anau.
Bill asked how I was feeling. Relieved and finally pain free. Do you want to go the quick way or the scenic long way. Naturally I chose the long way.
Part way through the journey Bill rolled a cigarette while he was flying the helicopter. I didn't smoke but how could you resist the offer of a rollie from a man flying a helicopter that had just saved my life.
I never did get to personally thank Bill for what he did, but I have always felt a sense of indebtedness to him. I dropped a six pack of DB draught off at the Te Anau police station the day after I was rescued for him as a small gesture of my thanks. I know Bill retired in Te Anau and I've read his book.
Thank you Bill, Rest In Peace.
Geoff Hastings
July 3, 2020
So sad,Fly High old friend.
Pat Childs
July 3, 2020
Dear Shirley and family my sincere sympathy you are all in my thoughts at this sorrowful time
July 3, 2020
Thinking of you at this sad time. Doug & Glenda Bamfield Gold Coast Australia
Doug & Glenda Bamfield
July 3, 2020
So sorry to lose you Bill, Be at peace now. Will be thinking of you. Our best wishes to Marlene and family. Doug & Glenda bamfield in Australia.
July 3, 2020
Deepest Sympathy to all the family you are in our thoughts at this time. We will be unable to be present Dorothy & Don Cromb,
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