Charlie Wheeler hangs up his cue

www.getreading.co.uk/sport/bar_sports/s/2108355_wheeler_puts_his_bar_billiards_cue_away_for_the_last_time

Article includes a good bit about the game's early history.

[David.G]

On 26th May at a local nursing home in Reading Charlie wheeler passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Charlie played bar billiards for about 62 years before ill health forced him to 'Retire'. He had spent a number of years playing in Doncaster before returning to Reading.

My thoughts are with his wife Lilly and their children.

Charlies funeral will be held at the Crematorium on all hallows Road, Reading on Monday 10th June at 2.15

times indeed

Thanks for passing on the sad news, Dave.  

Although I don't think I ever met him I know that he was very influential in the development of bar billiards and was the person responsible for taking the game up to Yorkshire, with the knock-on effect prompting TV coverage (Indoor League).

A true pioneer who takes his place in bar billiards history.  

[barbelman]

That's news of the loss of yet another of the 'old school', Dave.  Charlie was a great character in the game, a real pioneer as Tommo says and always had some scheme or other up his sleeve to promote Bar Billiards.  
Please pass on our condolences to his wife and family.

RIP Charlie.

Tony

[barbelman]

There is an article about Charlie by Eileen Britton here;

www.getreading.co.uk/sport/s/2135298_bar_billiards_legend_charlie_wheeler_passes_away

Tony

[Chris_Sav]

Sad news indeed!

A lot of bar billiard history has gone to the great black peg in the sky!

My condolences to his friends and family from Reading.

Sav

[colinm]

A event for Bar billiards as a whole, sorry I won't be at the funeral to pay my respects to one of the most passionate people about the game we will ever meet.  It's true to say he lived Bar Billiards and I am sure if he can set up a league in the great beyond he will.

He was captain of the Red Lion B team in Cholsey when I started playing Bar Billiards again 5 or 6 years ago and many of us still talk about him and some of the shots he played, a true gent and a great loss to the game.

Colin  

[BigPhilMac]

Hi all, a while ago i had a thought about doing something, such as a billiards event, for Charlie. What i was thinking was holding a challenge match between Wallingford and Reading, the two surviving leagues that Charlie had such an influence on and was a great friend of both until he passed away.

Ive been meaning to get hold of Phil Hawkins for a while but because of my own work commitments and ive heard that Phil is best to be contacted at certain times, ive found that difficult. Unfortunately Phil doesnt use the forum (to my knowledge!) so would any Reading users like to be on board with my idea? I will also try get hold of Phil too when i can.

Cheers guys
Phil Mac