James Balfour Will
4820 Aged 91
Jim was born in Christchurch on 30 December 1924, the only son of James Leslie Will (FRCS) and Alma Helen Will. He was educated at Medbury School before attending Christ’s College in Jacobs House from 1938 to 1942. Jim enjoyed lifelong friendships from his school days. He started to follow in his father’s footsteps, doing a medical intermediate year at the University of Canterbury. However, he then joined the New Zealand Navy and left for training in England in 1944, where he was commissioned in 1945. Upon his return to New Zealand, Jim resumed medical studies in Dunedin but decided not to continue with this as a career. He worked in a variety of roles during his mid- twenties. In 1952, Jim joined the 11 Coast Regiment Territorial Force (RNZA) with the rank of Lieutenant. In 1954, Jim applied for and was appointed as an Observer with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). He served for five years: firstly, as a Field Observer and then in New Delhi as a Liaison Officer in charge of the UNMOGIP office. During this time Jim was promoted to Major. This was an exciting and special time in his life, which he loved to talk about. A highlight that changed his life was meeting his future wife Katherine (Kym) d’Apice in India. They were married in New Delhi in 1959.
Jim brought his young English bride to live in Christchurch, where they settled into family life and had five children: Nicola, Fiona, Katrina, Christopher and Antony. Jim then joined the Prudential Assurance Company and worked as a Life Insurance Agent until he retired. Jim was an avid reader and had a wide general knowledge. He was also very skilled with his hands and was always busy with a new project. Jim enjoyed long and special friendships. He was also a competitive sportsman, particularly yachting, tennis and golf. He was an active member of the Christchurch Golf Club well into his 80s. At the age of 79 he was delighted to get 90% in the national “Rules of Golf” examination and subsequently was an active and well-known referee for the club. Jim was also a very active member of the Canterbury Officers’ Club and was president in the early 2000s. He enjoyed attending the club lunches until aged 90. In November 2011 Jim received the New Zealand Defence Service Medal. In his last few years Jim’s failing health limited his activities but he still enjoyed special times with family and friends. Jim died peacefully in Christchurch on 2 December 2016, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Kym, his five children, 10 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Chronicle 2017
10
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online