Willie Rees celebrates his 105th birthday

WINSTON Park resident, Willie Aubrey Rees, celebrated his 105th birthday on Monday, 12 December.

The charming man was born in Garnant, Ammanford in Wales on 12 December 1911. He had three brothers and a sister. His father moved to Benoni in South Africa in 1922 after his mother died -Willie was nine at the time. His father worked as a manager on one of the mines. Years later, Willie took up the position as an electrical engineer on the mines.

He then settled in Margate in the mid 1930s until 1960s. During that time, he volunteered to serve his country in WWII in 1939. He served as a pilot for six years in the SA Airforce. When his service was complete, he returned home and served as a local councillor and then mayor of Margate. He had two sons and a daughter from his first marriage. He met his second wife, Betty Rees, in Margate and became a stepfather to three other children – a son and two other daughters.

He finally left Margate in the late 1960s and moved to Durban where he worked at the Royal Hotel until he retired. After he retired, he built his own house in Winston Park in 1978 and a few other houses which he sold. His wife, Betty, said he was a jack of all trades.

His hobbies included golf and swimming. He volunteered as a lifesaver in his younger days and received a medal for saving a life in Margate. He also read a lot and travelled extensively and was able to speak many languages fluently. These days, Willie enjoys watching television, reading and spending quality time with his family and pet dogs in his quiet, humble home.

The fit and active man said he believes that to live a long life, you have to have a good wife, which is his secret to longevity. “I’m happy to have met my wife who has cared well for me over the years. I feel comfortable, happy and fit at my age. I’ve seen a lot through my life and feel honoured to have experienced all the changes that have taken place over the 105 years that I have lived,” said Willie.

To mark his 105th jubilee, Willie’s family held an open house at the home for Willie’s friends and family to pop in and have tea with him. He also received a birthday card from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

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Rees celebrates his 104th birthday