Last updated at 09:20, Thursday, 28 February 2013

Tributes have been paid to a Distington man who died after his car crashed into a wall.

William Edward Parker, 74 , of Loop Road, was involved in the incident near the Howgate Hotel on Monday.

Mr Parker’s Volkswagen Bora was travelling towards Workington on the B5306 at Distington when it left the road and collided with a wall.

Mr Parker was cut free by firefighters and taken by ambulance to the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, where he was pronounced dead.

The family said last night: “He was extremely well known around the Cumbria area and had a huge circle of friends. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

“As a family we are absolutely devastated by his sudden and tragic death, he was our rock and was always there for us when we needed help.

“We would like to thank all Billy’s friends who have sent kind messages, wishes and prayers which have been, and will continue to be of such comfort to us at this very difficult time. We would also like to thank the kind hearted man who initially helped at the accident and stayed with him.”

Mr Parker, known as Billy to family, and Fez to his friends, was married to Mavis for nearly 52 years.

He was a father to Carol, Jacqueline, Victoria and William, and brother to John and Betty.

He also had 10 grandchildren, and was also looking forward to the arrival of his first great-grandchild in a few months time.

He was born in Lowca and his first job was in the Army. After leaving the Army he became a miner, working in both Whitehaven and Mansfield. He spent almost 27 years working at Haig Pit in Whitehaven. He then worked for the Groundwork trust, making and managing the cycleways around West Cumbria.

He helped opened the Distington cycleway and his last job was as a security officer.

Mr Parker used to be a keen rugby player and enjoyed working in his garden.

He and his wife spent most of the last 10 years touring Spain and Benidorm was his favourite holiday destination.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be opened.

The road from Disington’s Castle Pub to the Distington bypass junction at Low Moresby was closed in both directions.

Police are investigating the cause of the collision and are appealing for witnesses to call them on 101.

First published at 13:36, Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk