Billy Anderson: an appreciation

Given the service took place across the other side of town, many local people made the journey to Mortonhall Crematorium last week to celebrate the life of Billy Anderson, who died on 6 August . Billy might have been secretly proud of all the attention, but he probably would have said: ‘this is a load of crap!’ or ‘what’s a’ the fuss aboot?’ That was Billy.

Billy was a hugely likeable character – grumpy and huffy, sure, and I’ll always remember with affection his regular comic fall outs with his pal John Davidson  – but William Nelson Anderson was a man who above all enjoyed company and who loved to laugh.

It’s fair to say there was a time when Billy didn’t have a lot to laugh about. The youngest of five children (he had a twin who died), family life was shattered when Billy’s mother died when he was only twelve. Billy sometimes talked about the dark years that followed, and while he often made light of it life could not have been easy for Billy as a boy and young man. He talked of sleeping under London Bridge looking up at the stars – it’s a romantic image, but it masks the ever-present danger and misery of being alone, hungry and homeless in London. These must sometimes have been desperate days, and the fact that he survived the ordeal with his sanity – and even sense of humour – intact says a lot about Billy.

Billy was the guy who only planned to stop in Muirhouse for a wee while and ended up staying thirty years, and he certainly made his mark over that time. While he’d lost touch with his real-life family, Billy managed to create himself a new one as he became part of the Muirhouse community. He became involved in a number of community activities – he was a member of his tenants group and went on to become an Edinburgh Tenants Federation executive committee member alongside his friend, Birnie’s Court neighbour (and ‘Ayatollah’!) Betty Stevenson. Billy also took the opportunity to participate in training courses in North Edinburgh – he was an enthusiastic and forthright contributor at courses run by Pilton Partnership and Granton Information Centre. And if there was a community event Billy was there – particularly if it had a social afterwards!

In recent years Billy was perhaps best known for his involvement in Muirhouse Millennium Centre – he was part of the original steering group and he stuck with the Centre all the way through, the cafe was his kingdom. The Millennium Centre was like a second home for Billy; it was a huge part of his life and the centre staff, members and volunteers were Billy’s family. It just won’t be the same dropping into Muirhouse Millennium Centre now – Billy was always there, delighted to share the latest gossip, rumour and scandal with an evil cackle!

At last week’s funeral service, Lesley Hinds read a number of touching tributes from friends and colleagues: 

Where do you start? 

Billy wasn’t your everyday guy – when you said ‘good morning’ to him he would say ‘what’s good about it?’ and ‘it was morning when I came in!’. Billy would not have been the person we all loved if he didn’t wind you up!

His stories were amazing, and if he’d written them down they would have given him a best seller.

Billy’s café, as we all knew it, was his special place. Whether it was soup, bacon rolls, pasta or puddings (although you didn’t want to try his custard!) he loved cooking.

Billy volunteered in the Centre for eleven years but was very active in getting the Centre built.

Bus Pass Billy became his new name when hr turned sixty and thought it was great as he could go for the messages jumping on and off the buses as he pleased! Although he did get carried away when he was going up to Craigleith – he ended up at The Bridges only to come all the way back using three different buses!

Everyone has good memories of Billy as he was that kind of man – whether you are young or old he touched everyone’s heart in some way. The passing of Billy has had a massive impact on everyone as it was so unexpected. The Centre doesn’t feel the same at the moment, but as he used to say ‘everybody’s got to die’; that was Billy, living every day and enjoying it.

He once said ‘naebody will care when ah’m deid’ – well Billy, you were wrong; we all care and we will never forget you as you gave us so many memories to remember you by. Take care Billy and keep an eye on us all.

Your Family and Friends at the Millennium Centre

My Memories of You, Billy

When we first met, Billy, many years ago I knew you were a character – you had such a sense of humour, you were never afraid to speak your mind and you did not care who it was! We went to so many meetings together over the years, and still were until your sudden departure. You had a colourful life – you joined the Hari Krishnas for five years and you even slept under London Bridge for a time – you said you enjoyed it and it was an experience. I tried to get you to write a book about it – you did start it, Billy, but you did not take it any further.

When we went to Edinburgh Tenants Federation Executive meetings you used to say to me: ‘get it finished before 9pm as my programme is on the telly then!’ We brought in New Year together and watched the fireworks but last year you fell asleep, and for that you got an ear-bashing from Leanne! Leanne asked me the other day if yo would still see the fireworks – I said you will have a better view than anyone!

I remember when you took your first heart attack over ten years ago – we had been at a meeting in the church, and when we came out you looked terrible. I asked what was wrong: you said it was indigestion and blamed it on the vicar’s tea, saying it was stewed!

When you got the flat next door to me you were happy and said you felt safe, but you continued to have trouble with your heart, diabetes and high blood pressure – but you would not slow down, you said you’d be bored. You loved working with the young kids and their mothers at the Millennium Centre and even gave some of them cooking lessons.

Billy, you had a few nicknames for me; some I would not dare repeat but the latest one was Her Next Door Who Must Be Obeyed! You loved it when you got your bus pass – not having to pay fares, it was like you had won the Lottery!

I always said you were a free spirit, Billy, and you were – you lived your life the way you wanted to. I hope you are now free from pain and at peace. I for one will miss you. As well as a neighbour you were a friend and I will always remember you as that. Rest in peace, dear friend.

Betty Stevenson

Billy was an activist who worked hard for his area. He was always there in the background but when it mattered his voice would be heard, Billy came to Muirhouse as a visitor and ended up staying for 30 years. Billy has left his mark in Muirhouse, North Edinburgh and Edinburgh.

Councillor Lesley Hinds

I don’t remember the first time I met Billy but I was surprised to learn that he was only a member of the (Edinburgh Tenants Federation) Executive Committee for five years, as it feels like he has been a part of the Federation for ever!

Billy was always good fun and had a wicked sense of humour. He would come out with a comment at just the wrong moment and have me spluttering when I was trying to be serious! Billy was particularly good with helium, having lots of fun when helping to set up for our social events! I am going to miss him.

Mary Cockburn

I loved Billy’s wicked sense of humour. I enjoyed his company at EC meetings and in particular at the High Flats meetings where he would always arrange refreshments. The people of Muirhouse have lost a hardworking and dedicated volunteer. Rest in peace, Billy, you will be sorely missed.

Mark Henry

Billy was a lovely guy who knew how to work the (ETF) staff; he always praised the staff reports by calling for us to be rewarded with extra holidays and pay rises – really he knew that this would earn him extra drinks tickets at social events!

Justine Bradd

I think of Billy as a quiet man with a great sense of humour and deep compassion for humanity. Billy was quiet in the sense that he had a peace about him – he was thoughtful, content and at one with his place in the world.

Billy seemed to have a strong spiritual side – I remember him telling me stories about his life as a Hare Krishna monk, we had conversations about the Dalai Lama’s visit to Edinburgh and how his message of peace could fit into this fast-paced, individualistic world.

That spiritual side fitted well with Billy’s passion for social justice. He cared about people, and especially people who were vulnerable. Maybe that’s what made him such a committed community activist – he fought injustice by being involved in community groups – to make a difference.

Billy was a very intelligent man, with a lot of life experience and a willingness to share his wit and wisdom with others in his own quiet way. He was fun to be around as well – he had great stories to tell about his life in Edinburgh and in London, and he wasn’t one to mince his words, either. If he had a strong view about something, you’d hear it! ‘What a load of shite!’ he would often say if something wasn’t to his pleasing! And his views were often proved right!

I worked with Billy on the ETF’s 20^th Anniversary planning group, where we organised a big plan of events to celebrate this milestone. Billy was really positive, coming up with lots of creative ideas and keeping us focused by chopping us down and telling is to ‘get real’ when our ideas got a bit too mad!

I’ll remember Billy as being a supportive Executive Committee member for ETF. He was really funny and brought a lot of knowledge to the table. Wherever he is now, I’m sure he’ll be swearing about Betty being the Ayatollah! Their ‘love/hate’ relationship was comedy gold to watch, especially because you knew they were great friends and neighbours behind the hilarious banter. Billy will be warmly remembered and sorely missed.

Clare MacGillivray

A collection following Billy’s memorial service at Mortonhall raised £371.06p for the British Heart Foundation. There is some speculation about who donated the 6p!