Tributes paid following death of a man hailed as a 'tireless worker' for those affected by Parkinson’s disease

William Murray, known to family and friends as Billy, was a founding member of the Inverclyde Parkinson’s Support Group which started in 2008.

Billy passed away suddenly at Inverclyde Royal on March 6 following a heart attack.

He was 71.

Billy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2002.

Trish Maclennan, co-ordinator of the support group, said he 'fought tirelessly to represent local people with Parkinson’s'.

She said: “Spouses, carers, members of the general public, as well as those for whom daily life with Parkinson’s brings host of difficulties have reason to be grateful to Billy for his help and for raising the profile of Parkinson’s locally and nationally.

“Now as then, the aims of the group are to provide an opportunity to share and discuss the challenges posed by Parkinson’s, to raise local understanding and awareness of the condition and to contribute to the funding of research through Parkinson’s UK.

"All this Billy did in good measure.”

Billy rarely missed a meeting and took charge of arranging a monthly programme of speakers, presentations, social events and outings.

Billy dealt his own Parkinson’s challenges - including maintaining balance, coping with tremors and involuntary movements and difficulties with speech - to speak frequently in a bid to educate all he met.

He would ask a volunteer to don a heavy pair of gloves and then do up the buttons of a cardigan or coat, saying: “That’s how difficult Parkinson’s can make things.”

Billy arranged fundraising quiz nights and other events, liaised with Parkinson’s UK staff and attended national meetings of the charity.

He leaves behind his two daughters Siobhan and Sharon and beloved wife Moira.

Trish said: “Though Billy was a prime mover in keeping the local Parkinson’s support group going since its inception he could not have achieved this without constant support and back up from his wife, Moira.

“Until just a few years ago when her own health problems prevented her attendance Moira worked just as tirelessly as Billy, taking an interest in every member, their families and wellbeing, supporting everybody as best she could and working away in the background at group meetings providing refreshments with a smile and a kind word.”

Trish says Billy will be greatly missed by all from the Parkinson’s Support Group.

She said: “Billy leaves a big gap locally and nationally and many people in Inverclyde have reason to be thankful to him for flying the flag for Parkinson’s at every available opportunity and for his dedicated organising, educating, fundraising and campaigning on behalf of all those living with the condition.

* The next meeting of the support group will be held in the Salvation Army Hall on Friday March 29 from 12.30pm until 2.30pm and a warm welcome is extended to any new members.