Couple who met as classmates in school celebrate 65 years of married bliss

Billy and Lily Semple only lived yards from each other in Port Glasgow and went on to spend a lifetime together.

The pair attended Clune Park School and although they grew up and went their separate ways fate was set to bring them back together.

Billy lived in Clune Park Street and Lily in Glasgow Road and their families knew each other.

Lily, 89, said: "It is wonderful to be here, to have lived all this time.

"My husband will be 90 next month and then it will be my birthday in April.

"It's one celebration after the other."

As a schoolboy Billy worked on farms before going to the shipyards.

He trained as an apprentice welder, then went away to do his national service before returning to work in the yards.

It was then the pair met up again, at Cragburn dance hall in Gourock.

They courted for four years before tying the knot at St Mary's Episcopal Church on February 18 in 1954.

The newlyweds stayed with Lily's mother for a few months before getting a 'Lithgow' house in Clune Park Street, then they moved to Northfield Avenue where they raised four children.

They were blessed with three daughters and a son - Lillian, 63, who lives in Aberdeen, Janice, 61, and Sandra, 59, who both live in Greenock, and Ian, 54, who lives in his home town.

Their family has since expanded to include five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren plus in-laws Alistair, Eleanor and Sandra's partner Andy Wishart.

Ian lives in Farquhar Road and is married to Eleanor and they have twin girls Fiona and Rachel and a son John.

Lillian and Alistair have a son Scott and Janice has a daughter Lorraine.

Billy and Lily have lived in Glenside Road in Devol for more than 40 years.

Mr Semple worked in all the shipyards, the Glen, Kingston, Yarrows, Brown's and latterly Ferguson's.

Lily worked in a bank when she left school and gave up her job to look after the children.

When they were a bit older she returned to work in the offices at Playtex and Sangamo before she retired.

Ian, 54, says his mum and dad were keen caravanners and remembers great holidays as a child.

He said: "We used to have great holidays all over Britain.

"I remember going to Inverbeg and Loch Lomond and as far south as Torquay, Paignton and Great Yarmouth.

"They have always been together and are always there to offer advice and they never judge.

"They're a unique couple and have played a massive part in the kids' lives growing up.

"My mum still tallies up the weekly bills, she's absolutely fantastic, and my dad is still driving."

Billy was also a keen cyclist and is a past member of Port Glasgow Cycling Club and an avid gardener.

Mr & Mrs Semple enjoyed regular holidays abroad when the children grew up.

Lily said: "We had an apartment in Spain near Marbella for 22 years and we've also been to Florida, Tenerife, Malta and Majorca."

The special couple enjoyed a family get-together to mark their sapphire wedding anniversary.

More celebrations are planned for Billy's birthday at Ian's house next month and another party will be held at Ingliston Country Club for Lily's 90th in April.