A PROMINENT Wee County traditional musician and artist, who championed education locally and Scottish music around the world, has sadly passed away at the age of 80.

William Cook, known to most as Bill, was a magnificent violinist, conductor, composer and arranger as well as a talented painter when it came to working with unforgiving watercolours.

Many will remember him from his presidency at the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra (SFO), his conductorship with the Stirling Caledonian Strathspey and Reel Society and his far-reaching involvement in the Clackmannanshire music scene.

Sadly, Bill passed away on Saturday, October 5, and will be remembered dearly by friends wide and far as well as his wife Teresa, daughters Jacqueline and Gillian, son Steven and great-grandson Ciaran, who is also a promising talent on the fiddle.

The local man, who was born in Henderson Avenue, Alloa, on September 3, 1939 – the day war was declared on Germany; was also talented painting with watercolours and sat on the committee of the Central Arts Association.

Members of the association were sad to learn they lost an important friend and a section of their currently running exhibition at The Gallery within G R McFarlane’s in Alloa is paying tribute to his work.

According to family and friends, Bill loved to read and could tell people everything about a particular violin, such was the depth of his knowledge.

He was also a joy to be around with his brilliant sense of humour.

Bill’s work, especially with the SFO, took him around the world, like the US, Canada and all across the UK including London.

A spokesperson for Central Arts Association said: “Bill was a real gentleman and a brilliant traditional watercolour artist in addition to his outstanding musical talent.

“The many excellent paintings he produced will be cherished all the more now by our members.

“A modest man despite his outstanding skills, it was always an absolute joy to be in Bill’s company.

“He had a great sense of humour, you could laugh and talk with him all day. His diary was jam-packed with bookings but it didn’t matter how busy he was, he would always have time to come and help us.

“Bill will be sorely missed in the local art and musical scene and, indeed, further afield.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

Bill, who settled with his family in a Clackmannan cottage which he renovated mostly on his own, was also a violin teacher in Clackmannanshire for three decades after coming out of the Army where he matured into a fine player.

He took many under his wing while also arguing that traditional Scottish music should be a part of the curriculum.

Current music teacher David Clifford, at Alva Academy, paid tribute to his role in “keeping music alive in Scotland” and indeed for encouraging young talent into music, inspiring much of the current generation.

Hands Up For Trad, an organisation promoting Scottish traditional music and where Bill was inducted into the Hall of Fame, also paid tribute in a post, citing the many groups he was involved in.

It said: “Through these projects, as well as an extensive career as an in-school violin teacher, Bill maintained and developed the music tradition and opportunities that exist in his home area.”

Bill’s funeral will take place tomorrow, Thursday October 17, at St Mungo’s RC Church in Alloa, at 1pm.

Family flowers only, charity donations will be collected on the day.