William Wright Staples, the oldest living man in England, passed away in Chorley, Lancashire, on 2 November, at the age of 109 years, 326 days.
William Staples was born on 11 December 1915. As a youngster, he lived in Shaw near Oldham and would often work in the mills alongside his older sisters. Later, William moved to Birmingham where he worked at the Bakelite factory. He then went on to live in Horwich, where for a time he worked as a hairdresser. It was here he met his wife, Doreen. They were separated during the Second World War when William joined the RAF and was stationed in Possilpark, Glasgow.
Whenever he could, William would hitch a lift back to Lancashire to see her, and it was during the war that they married in a simple ceremony. He eventually retired in his 70s. Up until the age of 101, when Doreen passed away, William was her carer. Then, until he reached 105, he continued to live independently, quietly pottering around his village on the outskirts of Chorley.
At the time of his passing, he was the second-oldest living man in the United Kingdom, after Hugh Kerr.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of William Staples during this difficult time.
