Bill Terrill’s most memorable moment as a VFL umpire didn’t come on the field, it came in 1955 after a Farrer League final. Bill was sitting in the kitchen of the Gloucester Hotel in Albury about 7.30pm after the final eating his dinner when he was introduced to a most attractive young lady, Adeline Lester. “I married her in March 1956. Some old aunties said it would never last. Sixty one years later we are still going strong,” said Bill with a great smile. Jim Rowe, also an AFLUA life member was best man at their wedding.
Bill passed away on February 19, aged 96.
Bill began umpiring in 1948 with the VFL reserve grade. He also ran the boundary in Japan for the Army and RAAF matches. Bill was appointed to the VFL senior list in 1951 where he served until retirement at the end of 1963. In 1964 Bill returned to the VFL Reserve Grade until he retired again in 1971, but this time as a goal umpire.
Bill joined the social committee in 1954 and then went onto the executive committee between 1955 and 1956. Bill became president in 1959. In all he served on the executive committee for six years.
Bill was awarded life membership in 1960, he received a lifetime achievement award in 1962 and was an inaugural member of the AFLUA Hall of Fame in 2008.
Bill umpired 5 VFL second eighteen games, 218 VCFL matches including 3 grand finals, 6 Metropolitan matches and 3 Tasmanian games.
Bill was a regular attendee at our Mornington lunches for X umpires and until recently always organised the very popular, Bill Terrill Christmas function at the Queensberry Hotel in Carlton.
Bill is survived by his wife Del and family.
Please see the Herald Sun on Wednesday for funeral details.