Jersey Reds have been saddened to learn of the death of club stalwart Adrian Willis.
Adrian, who died on Sunday aged 73, was involved in Jersey rugby across many decades as a player, administrator and supporter.
During his playing days, Adrian was captain of the JRFC 4th XV during the 1970s and 80s in an era when the side was one of the Island’s most sociable and well-organised. He was awarded the Barry Coulson Award in 1978/79 for his outstanding voluntary contribution to the club and was also one of those responsible for resurrecting the Jersey Police team in the late 1980s.
Adrian was made a Vice-President of JRFC in 1998, following in the footsteps of his father Harold Willis, who had been made a ‘VP’ in 1958 and was subsequently Club Chairman and President. He served as Members Rep on the club committee between 1997 and 2002, and subsequently was a board member of JRFC Holdings Ltd. He was also a keen rower, who took part in the first Sark to Jersey race in 1967 and returned to row it again a number of times well into his sixties.
Adrian was proud to have maintained a 'players' table at every 1st team pre-match lunch for the past 25 years.
Everyone at Jersey Reds would like to pass on their condolences to Adrian’s wife Joanne, his daughters Amanda and Julie, his twin brother Martin and to all of Adrian’s wider family. A private family funeral is planned. The rugby club intends to hold a moment’s silence in his honour prior to the next 1st XV home game against Nottingham on Saturday November 9th.
Adrian is pictured below (far right) with fellow members of the Board of JRFC Holdings Ltd in 2012. Picture by Dave Ferguson courtesy of the Jersey Evening Post.
