1951-2014

They broke the mould with Bill Stalley who died on the 24 April after a short illness. As with everything to which Bill applied himself, he faced his denouement with a characteristic stoic dignity.

Bill qualified from Birmingham Dental Hospital in 1974, taking up a dental houseman's job for a year at the hospital. Bill then took associate positions in Solihull and Stirchley whilst maintaining a part time role with the Dental Hospital. Bill formed a partnership with Robert Shaw in 1978 and was involved with several practices in the area. Latterly Bill set up a single-handed private practice in Dorridge, where he practised until his recent illness.

Bill applied himself with avid zeal to whatever he turned his hand to. He was a keen athlete. He completed several marathons and was a competitive cyclist. In his younger days he played rugby for a Hartlepool club. Bill was also an accomplished and enthusiastic golfer.

Bill was highly regarded by his patients and had the ability to put people at their ease even whilst wielding an air rotor and hiding behind a mask.

In addition to dentistry Bill retrained in addictive medicine in the UK and in the USA at the University of Utah. He worked part time for 20 years with Joe Mee and other colleagues with the Dentists Health Support Programme. The aim of the programme is to intervene and support anyone involved with the dental profession who is affected by alcoholism or other addictions. Bill did good by stealth. He spent much of his free time travelling around the country when asked to help colleagues in difficulty. His experience and expertise in the field of addiction was of immeasurable help to many colleagues and family members.

'Bill, how could I forget him? A great bloke. Tall, quietly spoken. Snappy dresser: silk ties and bespoke double-breasted suits. He put in a lot of legwork keeping me on the straight and narrow from my heroin addiction.' (C. G.: son of a London dentist)

'Bill Stalley salvaged my livelihood and marriage. It's no exaggeration to say that he probably saved my life.' (F. D.: dentist, Yorkshire)

'Bill reminds me of a benign Rottweiler. He never gave up on our family and we owe him a big debt of gratitude.' (A. H.: dentist, Nottinghamshire)

It was standing room only at the funeral on the 9 May. More than 300 people packed St. Paul's Church in Warwick: a testament to the many whose lives had been touched by Bill's influence. Bill was a gentle unassuming giant who many regarded as one of life's unsung heroes.

Our thoughts are with Bill's wife Jane, his daughters Rachael, Carla and Nicky and his extended family.