Bowls club pay tribute to 'the roughest of diamonds with the biggest heart of gold'

Joe Peters passed away at a nursing home in Worthing aged 76.

And on the club’s website, Alan Messer posted a tribute to the popular character.

The tribute said: “For anyone who didn’t know Joe he was one of our star barmen, famous for his collection of waistcoats and bow ties. He was a real character and the club will be less for his passing.

“Joe loved bowling and all the people associated with the sport. He played indoors with us at WIBC and outdoors he was a life member at Tarring Priory Bowls Club and he also had a short spell at Field Place. He famously liked the odd drink and found another bowling niche with the West Sussex Tourists, who enjoyed a drink or two with him.

“Not only was Joe a star barman, he also ran the cellar for a number of years making sure the beer was good and to everyone’s taste. He knew more about the workings of the bar than anyone else - in fact, even now we are still discovering what he knew and we didn’t!

“He could turn his hand to most things and did no end of handyman tasks around the club, he even teamed up with Micky Howard to create the office serving hatch. All around the club there are little mementos of Joe. Some are quite large.

“When the Men needed a new honours board Joe took it upon himself to buy the wood and all the other materials and constructed and varnished the Honours board which now hangs next to the door to the rear car park.

“I don’t think I could find anyone at WIBC who would have a bad word to say about Joe. He was a great guy - the roughest of diamonds with the biggest heart of gold.

“Joe Peters - we are going to miss you.”

A funeral service for Joe will take place on Monday (July 6) at Worthing Crematorium, 2pm.

Joe will be taken past the George and Dragon in Tarring Village 25 minutes before the funeral.

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