Respects were paid at Ngātapa rugby and hockey games on Saturday for club stalwart Willie Tamatea Jnr, who was known to many as “Bill”, “Will”, “Junior” or “Buddah”.
A moment of silence was observed at the Poverty Bay premier club rugby game between Ngātapa and OBM at Patutahi, and the Poverty Bay women’s club hockey clash at Harry Barker Reserve.
Tamatea, the son of the late Olive and Willie Snr, died on Friday. He was 70. Ngātapa life member Dave Mullooly said: “Will was always keen to help, a kind-hearted man with a great sense of humour.
He will be greatly missed by his Ngātapa family.” His service is being held at the House of Breakthrough on Wednesday at 11am.
Photos / Liam Clayton
