60 Years Apart

Bill and Lily met in 1937 when they were both seventeen at Albert Park in Brisbane. Bill was representing Queensland in cycling and Lilly was captain of the Queensland Netball Team.  Bill was smitten at first sight. They started dating before the war years and continued to keep in touch by correspondence during the war.  Bill fought in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and was expecting to return from war and marry his true love. He spent four years away during the war. 

Their lives went separate ways until an unexpected reunion.

As time went on, Bill married and had four children – while Lily had a family of her own. The two lost contact for 60 years, although Bill shares that Lily always knew where he was.

When Bill’s wife died about 16 years ago, he was astonished to receive a sympathy card from Lily. Bill rang her sister to try and find out how to contact Lily. He was told to attend a concert being held by The Serenaders where Lily, at 83, was performing.

Bill didn’t recognise Lily until she approached him and said, "I only play the piano."

Lily moved from the Sunshine Coast to be with Bill on the Gold Coast. They shared Billy’s home for 14 years until, due to Bill’s health, he moved to Arcare Sanctuary Manors. Lily now lives with her daughter in Brisbane.

The couple are never too far apart and enjoy weekends away together.

The photo is taken on Lily’s 97^th birthday. They are holding a photo of themselves that was taken on Lily’s 21^st birthday.

After 60 years apart, it just goes to show that true love never dies.

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