Loving tributes flow
FAMILY, friends and colleagues gathered at Coolangatta yesterday to celebrate the life of the man who "showed plenty of love and got plenty back".
Bill Morland passed away on Saturday, April 7, at the age of 52, survived by his wife Leanne and four children.
He was a familiar and friendly face at Tweed Courthouse, where he worked as a solicitor for many years.
Throughout his life he dabbled in many careers - as a boiler maker, fitter and turner, police officer- turned detective, and grocery shelf stacker - until he found his calling as a solicitor.
Legal professional Michael McMillan said he spoke for the legal community when he said Bill was a truly talented solicitor simply because he was a down-to-earth ordinary guy that understood people.
Friends noted he was a guy "who made friends from strangers within moments of meeting them".
Trevor "Big Trev" Arbon said Bill would not have wanted people to mourn his death.
He encouraged people to do as the typical Aussie larrikin would have wanted: "To smile, open your eyes, hug, love and go on."
More than 100 people turned out to the fitting ceremony held on the grass in front of Greenmount Beach Surf Club.
After Bill's ashes were scattered off Greenmount Beach, friends and colleagues gathered at the club for a few drinks.
After all, that's usually where you could find Bill around that time on a Friday afternoon - having a chat with friends over a few cold ones.
