Family's tribute at funeral of Summer Wine Star - Television actor was 'a great mate to us all'

Jul 20 1999 By ROSEY HAMILTON

THE son of actor Bill Owen paid tribute to a ``great mate to us all'' after his father was laid to rest in the Holme Valley yesterday (Monday July 19, 1999).

Fans of the comedy star -Compo in Last Of The Summer Wine - respected the family's wishes for a private funeral at St John's Church, Upperthong.

Son Tom, on behalf of the family, said: ``He was a great actor, a dear father and a great mate to us all.

``My father is now where he always wanted to be.

``It's wonderful to know that people held him in such high regard.

He was a cheeky chappy right until the end and that's a memory for us all.

``Inevitably he will be remembered for Last Of The Summer Wine, but there was much more to Bill Owen than the series. We are planning to have a memorial up in Yorkshire as a mark of respect and also one in London.''

Mr Owen said his father died from cancer of the pancreas and not cancer of the stomach and bowel as was reported last week.

At the funeral, about 20 subdued onlookers stood quietly across the road from the church to watch the mourners arrive.

Dozens of beautiful floral tributes to the actor lay on the grass by the side of the stone church.

After the service, Owen's widow Kathie left St John's Church with her head bowed.

Actor Peter Sallis, who plays Compo's sidekick Clegg in the TV series, said that it had been a lovely service.

``I hope there will be a memorial service and that it will be here in Yorkshire.

``He was a very tough character with strong views - but we never had a cross word with each other, we always gave in to each other.

He was a very good friend and a great character actor.

``The rest of the cast are very sorry not to be here but his widow Kathie had enough to cope with.''

When asked if the series would carry on, he replied that he hoped it would but added: ``We can't slide down hills on metal trays anymore.''

The congregation also included series creator and writer Roy Clarke. Mr Clarke said: ``It's a really sad day personally and professionally but he will get a good send-off.

``He died doing what he loved to do.

``I will try to rescue what is left of the half-written series -the best I can do for him is to keep it going.

``But I'm pleased some people came along despite the attempt to keep it quiet. I've been touched by the response of people who have never met him.''

After the 20-minute ceremony, conducted by the Rev Geoff Banks with an address from the Rev John Sausby, Bill Owen was laid to rest in a peaceful grave behind the church with spectacular views across the valley.

The actor, aged 85, died last week after he was taken ill in France where he and the rest of the cast were filming a Millennium special.

It was his wish to be buried in the area which was the setting for the long-running programme.

Compo's Fish and Chip Restaurant owner John Tate closed his business until after the funeral.

Since the death last week he has collected over 2,000 for the family to send to charity.

Owner of the Last Of The Summer Wine exhibition Christine Adams opened the doors for free yesterday for people to come and sign the condolences book.

Sid's Cafe owner Colin Fantom said that he decided to keep it open on the day of the funeral to let hundreds of Bill Owen's fans come and pay tribute to him.