Former Bridgnorth mayor dies after short illness

A former councillor from Shropshire who served on parish and town councils for more than 35 years has died at the age of 84.

Bill Parr was Bridgnorth's mayor for three consecutive years in the 1970s. He died at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford following a short illness on February 13.

Conservative Mr Parr was mayor from 1972 to 1975, he represented the West ward on the town council from 1970 to 1984, the Morville ward on Bridgnorth District Council for 12 years and was a member of Astley Abbotts Parish Council for more than 35 years.

Mr Parr, of Cantreyn, Bridgnorth, also represented Bridgnorth District Council for six years on the West Midlands Provincial Council for local authority services and was its vice-chairman for two years.

He was also chairman of Astley Abbotts branch of the Conservative Party until 2003 and for many years was a Bridgnorth Rotarian, twice serving as its president.

His son William, himself a councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbots on Shropshire Council, said: "At times Bill could be remembered in council for arousing fierce passions of admiration or hostility. He loved the cut-and-thrust of fighting for the community he represented with his no-nonsense approach.

"His passion as a councillor was matched with a passion for horseracing, good food, good company and as a family man."

Mr Parr married wife Valerie in 1958 and the couple had son William and daughter Juanita. He ran a coal merchants' business and bookmakers in both Broseley and Mill Street, Bridgnorth, diversifying in later life into investment and property firms.

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