Harold (Bill) Hooper

My project “Building the Wave” began in 2008 soon after I moved to the (British) Virgin Islands. Inevitably this meant that some of the people who would fall into my category of ‘builders before the wave’ were no longer available for interview because for a number of reasons. Once such person was Harold (Bill Hooper) who died in March, 2010 at the age of 94. He had lived on Tortola for some forty-one years (since 1969). I have endeavoured, for the sake of completeness, to include something about these people.

From: BVI Beacon, Thursday April 1st, 2010: 6.

Harold (Bill) Hooper, World War 2 Veteran and Hotel Manager, died on 20th March at his home in Long Bay, Tortola. He was 94. Born 15 August, 1915 in Bristol, England, Bill Hooper joined the RAF on September 3, 1939, the day Britain declared war on Germany. His love of travel began during his service in Africa during World War 2. In 1952, he and wife Betty bought a hotel in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). In 1964 they returned to their native England with their son, Mark, and managed a hotel in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Bill and his family moved to Tortola to manage the Treasure Isle Hotel in Road Town in 1969. During that time they made many lifelong friends. When Bill and Betty returned to England for health reasons, their son, Mark remained in the British Virgin Islands, making this his home. Bill and Betty returned to Tortola as often as possible to visit their son, grandchildren and friends. After the death of Betty in 2000, Bill chose to return to the British Virgin Islands to live with his son Mark, daughter-in-law Bettina and his family. Since resuming his life on Tortola ten years ago, Bill made many new friends and often hosted weekly dinner parties. He was affectionately known throughout the community as ‘Dad’. Bill leaves behind son Mark, Daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mark Carl and many friends. A memorial service for Harold Hooper will be held at St. Georges Anglican Church in Road Town on Thursday, 8th April 2010 at 5pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Tortola Animal Shelter.
 

Draft of April 6th, 2010

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