Bill Butcher

groubearfarm · Post by **groubearfarm** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:16 pm

It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Bill Butcher died on Wednesday 26th March.

He was very highly respected around the world by many Dexter Breeders and had a passion for the Dexter which few can surpass. He will be remembered and with great fondness from all corners of the world where he had many friends and will be a very sad loss to the Dexter Breed.
Fiona Miles

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:27 pm

I am very sorry to hear the news, Bill was one of those unique characters - difficult to imagine him having a close association with any breed other than dexters. In his own way Bill linked people in the Dexter world from the UK through South Africa to Australia. A one off, he will indeed be missed, and as Fiona says fondly remembered by many in all parts of the world.

Duncan

wagra dexters · Post by **wagra dexters** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:45 am

We met Bill here in the early 1990's, at which stage we had only 5 cows, by Shootlands BenMacdhui out of Bookhams Robert dams, the base lines of most early Australian Dexter herds.

Thank you Bill, for introducing them to Australia, via NZ.

Wagra Dexters

Rutherford · Post by **Rutherford** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:07 am

Bill will be sadly missed by many throughout the world. Breeders in this country tend to be unaware of his enormous influence abroad. He was a unique character and devoted much of his life to the Dexter, and was always prepared to give a helping hand. I owe him a big debt of gratitude at a time when I was incapacitated.
A great many breeders have been influenced by his guidance for the betterment of their herds. I very much regret losing a real friend.
Beryl (Woodmgic)

moomin · Post by **moomin** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:26 am

I am so sad to hear of the loss of Bill. A great character, or should one say unique, and a great ambassador for the breed worldwide.
A man of many talents. Before Dexters he was a choreographer for Raymonds Revue Bar in London - think that was a strip club or something! In latter years he had Punch and Judy show.
He came to stay on our farm, about 25 years ago, and arrived self contained in his "Snail", an old motor caravan which he travelled the country in and stayed on Dexter farms. He spent days at Statenboro' researching herd books and pedigrees at that time with Miss "Ben" Robinson but I think there were a few arguments as Ben was dedicated to the "short" leg and Bill wasn't!
As I said about Ben when she died I reiterate about Bill - "They don't make them like that anymore".
I am proud to have known him.
Di

Post by **Mark Bowles** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:39 pm

I have received the sad news from that Bill Butcher
(also known as Bill Dane) has passed away. Bill had
been ill for several weeks having caught pneumonia,
which left him in Intensive Therapy at Warwick
Hospital. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening
(25th March 2008) with his family at his side.

His funeral will take place at 2.15pm on Thursday 10th
April at The Oakley Wood Crematorium (near Lemington
Spa, just off junction 13/14). If you require any
further details please contact me.

Andrew Clarkson (email address available through DCS office)