A GRANDFATHER who was still working at the age of 80 has died.

William Linsey, who attributed his fitness to carrying on with his job as a part-time engineer, passed away from a heart attack on Thursday, April 15.

The grandfather-of-two had featured in the Oxford Mail earlier this month after he thanked passers-by who helped him when he collapsed while waiting for a bus in Witney High Street.

Mr Linsey moved to Witney more than 50 years ago and had never been out of work since the age of 16.

For 12 years, he worked at Smith’s Industries as a welder. For the last 20 years of his life he worked three mornings a week as an engineer for Cotswold Dairy Equipment, in Station Lane, Witney.

He was married to wife Dilys, 78, for 56 years.

They had two sons Paul, 55, and Roy, 51, and two grandchildren, Simon, 24, and Joanna, 22.

Speaking about his father, Paul said: “From the people we have spoken to since, nobody has any bad memories about him.

“Everybody says that he was always so helpful, he loved everybody and would go out of his way to help anybody.

“He was always smiling and happy. He was brilliant, even the people at his work said he wasn’t just there for himself but for them as well and they’re going to miss him terribly. He was just amazing.”

As well as enjoying his work, Mr Linsey, of Apley Way, Witney, liked to draw and paint landscapes.

Mr Linsey’s funeral was held at Oxford Crematorium yesterday.