Bill made his Paralympic debut in Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games, as part of the first ever New Zealand Paralympic Team. He then went on to compete at the Toronto 1976 Paralympic Games where he won a gold medal in the Men’s Shot Put 4 and set a new world record. Bill also competed in Para weightlifting, discus, and javelin. Bill was selected to represent New Zealand at the Arnhem 1980 Paralympic Games where unfortunately he could not compete due to heart problems. Bill was a very talented Paralympian competing in a variety of Para sports including Para archery, Para athletics, Para lawn bowls and Para table tennis. It is early Paralympians such as Bill that have paved the way for future Paralympians to succeed today and in the future. Bill passed away on 2 April 2015 aged 73, after a short illness.
Bill was represented by his family to receive his ‘numbered’ Paralympic pin as part of The Celebration Project in Dunedin in February 2021.
