FAMILY, friends and former teammates will be celebrating the life of well-known Wellingtonian and sportsman Andy Buttle on Friday, May 8.

Andrew Randolph Sibley Buttle died recently after a short illness aged 79.

His family say all will be welcome to attend the celebration of his life at the BrewTwo, at The Cleve, from 3p.m. on Friday.

Mr Buttle is survived by his wife of 58 years Susan, four sons Nicholas, Paul, Sean and Jamie, and grandchildren Samuel, Constance, Emily, Grace, Elena, Charlotte, Thomas and Ryan.

Born in Wellington Maternity Home, he attended Corams Lane and Court Fields schools, and Bridgwater College.

A strong sportsman, he achieved county honours at school representing Somerset at athletics and football, receiving various accolades, and also played football for Wellington.

On leaving education, he became a SWEB electrician, but his love for lorry driving saw him go on to work with quarrying firm ECC, Wellington/Steetley Brickworks, Whitbread Plc, and Ready Mixed Concrete Ltd.

In the late 1970s he was founder-member and manager of Rockwell Green men’s football club, based in the War Memorial Institute club, who competed and won many honours in the Taunton Sunday Football League.

The then-thriving club went on to field more adult teams and start a youth section for the many budding players and their families in the town.

A keen cricketer for Steetley Brickworks, Mr Buttle enjoyed the camaraderie of the Wellington Evening Cricket League in which many local companies and teams participated.

He had a passion for motor-cycles and had various bikes over the years.

WWN sports writer Barry Knott said: “I grew up with Andy and he was a very talented sportsman as a teenager. He went on to become a very devoted family man, supporting them at everything they did.”