A HEREFORD engineer-turned-artist who was commissioned by the SAS has died.

Reginald William Morris, known as Bill, was born in Hereford on March 5 1929.

Growing up on Newtown Road, Bill attended Holmer School and was a keen footballer and member of the Hereford Sea Cadets in his youth.

At 17 he joined the Merchant Navy as a steward, and it was during his employ as a seafarer that his artistic passion began, first trying his hand at photography before moving to painting.

On his return to Hereford, Bill continued to paint as a hobby whilst working for several local companies, latterly as a technical draughtsman for Denco in Hereford.

But his love for painting saw the self-taught artist give up his day job and, with the support of his wife Madge, open his own art studio in Capuchin Yard, Hereford.

The gamble paid off, and over the years, Bill's talent gained widespread recognition with his paintings selling well, both in Hereford and further afield.

One of his paintings won first prize in a 1983 BBC competition and was exhibited in the Tate Gallery, whilst another was commissioned as a back-drop for the BBC drama 'The A-Word',

And a portrait of Princess Diana was accepted by the Royal Family.

But perhaps one of his more unusual requests was from the SAS, who flew him around the Brecon Beacons by helicopter to capture images of special forces soldiers on training exercises for a series of paintings the regiment had commissioned.

He passed away following a short illness on February 20, a week short of his 90th birthday party.

Bill's funeral will be held at 3pm on March 7 at Hereford Crematorium, followed by a wake at Hereford Rowing Club.

Donations, if desired, can be made in support of the charity PID UK, supporting families affected by Primary Immunodeficiency, a condition suffered by his great-grandson.