A passionate Vale Hospital campaigner and former Provost of Argyll and Bute can be remembered as “one among a sort” and “an absolute gentleman” by those that knew him.
Billy Petrie OBE handed away final week on the age of 94, having devoted greater than 4 many years of his life to serving the local people as an impartial councillor - as soon as incomes the tag “the most well-liked native politician in Nice Britain.”
The Helensburgh man, a former Provost of Argyll and Bute Council and Freeman of the realm, devoted 45 years of his life to public service on native authorities - starting from the previous Dunbartonshire County Council to Strathclyde Area and a bunch of different our bodies all through Scotland.
He was married to spouse Jean for greater than 59 years till she handed away in 2014, with the pair having met while pupils at Hermitage Main collectively.
Billy was additionally a much-loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a proud and passionate supporter of the Vale of Leven Hospital, serving on the Argyll and Clyde Well being Board alongside Rev Ian Miller.
Rev Miller advised the Lennox: “He was somebody you'd’ve walked 100 miles to assist. And he walked 100 miles to assist many individuals. However you'd by no means know, he did all of it quietly.
“He was somebody you can flip to. He had a listening ear and if he may do something for you then it could be achieved.
“Politically we won't see his like once more. He was completely one among a sort.
“A whole lot of political folks must go together with the get together line. He was a real impartial. If he thought it was proper, it was proper. If he thought it was improper, it was improper. That’s to his everlasting credit score.
“He was an extremely real man.”
And Rev Miller remembers a run-in with well being chiefs that confirmed Petrie’s power of character.
He added: “Once we have been on the hospital board he was as straight as a dye. I at all times keep in mind one event the place myself, Jim Flynn and him have been accused of leaking one thing to the press.
“We have been all referred to as into the chairman’s workplace. He ranted and raved.
“Billy, very calmly, mentioned ‘advantageous, I inform you what. If you wish to muzzle me then you may simply have my resignation proper now’.
“At that time the chairman fully modified. He realised he was coping with a person of integrity.
“If Billy had left then there would’ve been ramifications. He was straight and true. What you see is what you bought. His legacy is totally nonetheless being felt right this moment.”
In addition to serving as an impartial councillor for greater than 4 many years, Billy served on the board of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park Authority Board and its predecessors - enjoying a key function in organising Scotland’s first Nationwide Park.
Gordon Watson, chief government of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park Authority, mentioned: “It was an honour to get pleasure from his intensive information and expertise on our Nationwide Park Board and even after his tenure got here to an finish, he continued in his retirement to take an energetic curiosity in what was occurring within the Nationwide Park.
“Billy was at all times a supply of clever recommendation, some good anecdotes and above all an absolute gentleman.”
Former Dumbarton MP John McFall, now Lord McFall and Speaker of the Home of Lords remembered a “good and true good friend.”
He mentioned: “He has been a great and true good friend to me all through my political life.
“He by no means turned down a request for help or recommendation. He was at all times prepared to reply when points affecting the native space or the welfare of constituents have been highlighted to him.
“He was an excellent instance of how elected representatives ought to conduct themselves: open, partaking, empathetic. He represented the most effective qualities of management.
“My spouse Joan and I've misplaced good mates with the dying of Billy and his late spouse Jean.
“However they go away behind treasured recollections of a pair whose lifelong service and devotion to their group is a shining instance for us all to comply with.”
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie added: “Billy was such a well-liked individual all through the realm. He labored throughout the political divide and made many mates in our local people and inside the council.
“His loss is a large blow for the area and my deepest condolences are along with his household and lots of mates who will miss him significantly.
“He leaves a beautiful legacy resulting from his dedication to face up for the folks he served.”