Popular landlord who ran pub for 21 years dies (From Bucks Free Press)

Former Lacey Green landlord dies

3:00pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Rebecca Cain

A POPULAR landlord who ran a Lacey Green pub for 21 years has died. Dick Williams died on September 25, aged 74 following a short illness.

He was the landlord of The Whip Inn in Lacey Green from 1976 to 1997, and was known as Dick the Whip. Dick grew up in Sussex before joining the RAF.

He married Brenda Poynter in 1966 and they left the RAF and Dick joined Tesco as an area supervisor for south London.

They moved to Princes Risborough in 1972 and then in 1976 took over and moved into The Whip with their two daughters, Sarah-Jane and Helen.

It was the first time he had run a pub, but he quickly learned the ropes.

He then had to become an impromptu midwife in 1979 when his wife went into labour in the early hours of the morning.

No time to get to the hospital, Emma was delivered by Dick on the pub floor. Within five months, Brenda was pregnant again but baby Michael was born in hospital.

The couple worked tirelessly at turning The Whip into a good village pub with a good reputation for food. He raised thousands of pounds for good causes.

The RNLI, Hearing Dogs, Guide Dogs, Ghurkas and the PACE centre (then at Dinton) were just a few beneficiaries.

He helped out at functions at St Teresa’s in Princes Risborough where his four children attended, and helped at St John’s Church in Lacey Green.

Brenda and Dick moved on from The Whip in 1997 and went to run The Lambert Arms in Lewknor for two years.

They then moved down to Devon, where they planned to retire but Dick got himself a job on a private beach.

However, when their local British Legion called on the couple to help their ailing club, Dick didn’t think twice about returning to the license trade, where they worked until he fell ill in July.

He leaves his wife Brenda, their four children, Sarah-Jane, Helen, Emma and Michael and his granddaughter Ella.

There will be a memorial service at St. John’s Church Lacey Green at 4pm on Friday, October 19, followed by a celebration at the Lacey Green and Loosely Row Sports Club.

It was Dick’s wish that his passing was celebrated in much the same way as he lived his life, a colourful event with no black, and a great time to be had by all.

Instead of flowers it was Dick's wish for any donations to go to family friend Cayle Royce.

He served in the army in Afghanistan, where whilst under attack he stood on an IED in May. Both his legs and several fingers had to be amputated; he broke his neck and femur and suffered facial injuries.

He is learning to walk again at Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey. Every penny donated in memory of Dick will go directly to Cayle.

Donate via: collection buckets at the drinks and service, cheques payable to KE COOPER can be sent to: Savill Funeral Directors, The Moorland, Union Rd, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1EF or online transfer to 52624288, sort code 90-78-68 ref Dick Williams.