The UK Bus Driver of the Year Association (BDoY) says it is with great sadness that it announces the death of one of its stalwart supporters, Bill Holmes, Familiar to many who have been involved in the competition over the years, Bill passed away aged 75 on 28 February. A member of the BDoY Board since 1999, he was a familiar sight at the Association’s National Final in his key role allocating buses to competitors. In addition, he liaised with bus companies throughout the year encouraging and supporting their involvement.
A native of Dover and fluent in French, Bill had a career on cross-channel ferries as an Immigration Officer before turning to the coach and bus industry later in life. He drove National Express coaches and delivered new Van Hool coaches before reluctantly handing in his licence a couple of years ago.
BDoY Chairman Joe Mackie said: “Bill’s knowledge and commitment to BDoY will be a great loss to the organisation and he will be a loss as a friend to us all.”
He is survived by his wife Valerie who is inviting friends to a celebratory meal in early April, when it would have been Bill’s birthday. There are no plans for a public funeral.
