Sunday’s Obituary: William Filby

I’m on a roll. Since I already posted one random obituary today, why not another? This one is perhaps a bit less random; it is that of William Filby himself, my great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Filby’s brother. Okay, it’s not random at all. I had to dig through my digital folders to figure out where the articles were. It’s one of my favorite family obituaries, not only for the genealogically helpful material included, but also for the little personal touches.

The obituary was actually printed twice, first in the Chelmsford Chronicle, then in the Essex Newsman, both identical except that the second omitted everything after “The funeral was at St. Mary's Church on Tuesday.” So I will transcribe only the first obituary.

The interior of St. Mary’s Church, where the funeral took place. I had hoped to find a shareable image of the Star Inn, where William lived and worked for many years, but had no luck. But if you would like to see the inn, check out this link.
By Maria (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

OLDEST RESIDENT.—With the passing of Mr. William Filby at his residence in Wantz Road, on Oct. 9, in his 95th year, Maldon has lost the oldest male inhabitant. He was well liked for his cheery personality. A week before his death he was out in the town. From 1885 to 1909 he was licencee of the Star. He leaves a son and three daughters, and there are 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral was at St. Mary's Church on Tuesday, the Rector, the Rev. A. D. Short, officiating. The mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Filby, son and daughter-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Parry, Mrs. F. Halliday, sons-in-law and daughters; Mrs. Horace Keeble, granddaughter; Mrs. M. Smith, housekeeper. Also present were Mr. H. Freeman, Mr. J. Rogers, Mr. J. Green (Hearts of Oak Benefit Society), Mrs. C. Brady, Mrs. Moss, Mr. E. D. Roberts, etc.

The Essex Newsman also printed a brief notice of his death:

FILBY, William, in his 95th year, after a short illness, on 9th October, at his residence, Wantz Road, Maldon.

Sources:

“Deaths: Filby, William,” The Essex Newsman, 17 Oct 1942, p. 4, col. 5; digital images, British Newspaper Archives (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : accessed 26 Dec 2012), Brightsolid in partnership with the British Library. 

“Maldon, Braintree & Witham: Oldest Resident,” The Chelmsford Chronicle, 16 Oct 1942, p. 11, col. 2; digital images, British Newspaper Archives (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : accessed 26 Dec 2012), Brightsolid in partnership with the British Library.

“Maldon & Heybridge: Oldest Resident,” The Essex Newsman, 17 Oct 1942, p. 4, col. 4; digital images, British Newspaper Archives (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : accessed 26 Dec 2012), Brightsolid in partnership with the British Library.