Loyal Swindon Town Football Club supporter Eric Billett has died at the age of 85 after a short illness.

Mr Billett was born in North Wraxall on December 17, 1928 and was the seventh child of John and Kathleen Billett. The couple had seven other sons and two daughters.

He went to school in the village before leaving at the age of 14 to work full-time on a farm where he had helped with the milking while he was at school.

In 1947 he met his wife, Marjorie, who had moved to Wiltshire with her family from Edmonton in North London. The couple married on February 11, 1950 at St James’ Church in North Wraxall when Mr Billett was 21 and his wife was 19.

In 1952 they had their son, Terry, who died of a brain tumor two-and-a-half years ago.

The family were avid supporters of Swindon Town FC and had season tickets, with Terry going to his first game at just 18-months old and having a trial with the team when he was 16. Mr Billett had a fondness for all sport including snooker which he often watched with his neighbour.

After working on the farm, Mr Billett drove lorries for the Royal Wiltshire Bacon Company in Chippenham before buying his own lorry to work for himself.

The family moved to Ford where Mrs Billett ran a B&B which Mr Billett would help with when he was not driving.

Mr Billett retired from his own business at the age of 60 but continued to drive for Thomas Travel until he moved to Marlborough Court in Chippenham with his wife in 1995.

Mrs Billett said: “He was very fond of children and he would sit in his chair and wave at them as they walked past the window.

“One Christmas a little girl made a card for him with a snowman on which said ‘to my waver friend’ and that went into the coffin with him.

“When his great-nieces and great-nephews came over he would play games with them and teach them drafts and dominos. He had a sense of humour that was second to none.”

Mr Billett died at the Royal United Hospital in Bath of pneumonia on July 13 surrounded by his family.

His funeral was held on July 24 at Semington Crematorium which was followed by a wake at the Carpenters Arms in Lacock.

More than 100 mourners attended the service including his only living sibling, Win, who flew over from Australia.