A FORMER Saints director and entrepreneur who built one of the town's most respected family businesses has died.

Bill Jelley, who was the founder of timber and builders' merchants ST Group, formerly Sutton Timber, passed away at the age of 89.

He died peacefully at Parr Care Home where he had been diligently cared for in their specialist End of Life unit.

Bill was a born entrepreneur and began his business career as a boy taking every opportunity he could to 'make a few shillings’

As a young man he had saved enough to buy a small piece of land and began dealing in timber.

With his devoted wife Dorothy by his side, he built ST Group.

Included within the business was a bespoke Joinery Division which began life at Hoghton Road, Sutton, until it merged onto ST Group’s much larger site on Clock Face Road, Clock Face.

Always someone with an eye for emerging trends, Bill, together with his daughter Alison, founded Qualplas, a PVCu window and door manufacturer, now based on Knowsley Road.

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His enthusiasm for rugby league and his recognised business acumen lead him to accepting an invitation to join the Board of St Helens RLFC.

Being a Saints Director was a proud moment for Bill and he took his role extremely seriously. He drew great satisfaction in playing a part in helping the club to enjoy the prestigious position it holds today.

A long-standing member of St Helens Rotary Club, Bill was always keen to quietly support deserving charitable causes, including initiating the Company’s regular and long-term involvement with the National Children’s Charity, NCH Action for Children.

Another of Bill’s loves was crown green bowls. As chairman of Windle Bowling Club for a number of years, he was able to combine business with pleasure in pursuing one of his favourite pastimes.

Born in 1932, Bill lived a full and active life until requiring home nursing in recent years.

He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, daughter Alison, three grandsons and a great-granddaughter.

The family have expressed their immense gratitude to the nursing staff at Parr Care Home for their magnificent care of Bill in the last few weeks of his life.

  • Bill's funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 24, at 10am at St Helens Crematorium. There will be family flowers only and donations can be made to The Salvation Army.