W.O. Signalman Wiremu (Bill) Bartlett MBE Passed
⚓️WOSG Bartlett, Wiremu, Nepia MBE passed 17 November 2024 𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Te Rawheoro marae,
38 Tauwhareparae Rd, Tolaga Bay.
Open times for Thursday will be at: 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm.
7:00pm Poroporoake
Friday 22nd November:
11:00am Final service 2:00pm Immediate whānau will travel to Gisborne for a private cremation. At a later date, Wiremu’s ashes, along with those of his darling wife Linda, will be taken to their final resting place at Te Ara Waerea in Mangatuna, Gisborne. Please join us for hakaari at Te Rawheoro marae, after whānau pani return from the crematorium.
Personal eulogy from Neal Catley ….
Warrant Officer Signalman Wiremu Barlett, MBE, is one of the most highly regarded and respected people to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Wiremu is the ultimate professional, and he is admired by all who have had the pleasure of working alongside him. He is a giant of a man who left no stone unturned to achieve the best outcome for his Navy. Rest in Peace, Wiremu. Your mission on Mother Earth is complete. It is time to join hands with your beloved Linda May and celebrate your ceremonial heavenly arrival together in grand style with your shipmates. Pipe The Side!
I chatted with Wiremu [Bill] on Sunday evening, November 10, about his new life at Glenbrae Residential Rest Home in Rotorua, the loss of his Linda May, and how much he loved and missed her 24/7. Wiremu said he was sad that NZDF veterans were being stuffed around by those who had the power to fix things [Irish Pennants] but chose not to.
Warrant Officer Signalman Wiremu Barlett, MBE, is one of the most highly regarded and respected people to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Wiremu is the ultimate professional, and he is admired by all who have had the pleasure of working alongside him. He is a giant of a man who left no stone unturned to achieve the best outcome for his Navy. Rest in Peace, Wiremu. Your mission on Mother Earth is complete. It is time to join hands with your beloved Linda May and celebrate your ceremonial heavenly arrival together in grand style with your shipmates. Pipe The Side!
Kia ora koutou,
My name is Kenneth Nepia, I am the eldest mokopuna / granchild of Wiremu (Bill) Nepia Bartlett MBE.
Our whānau sincerely thanks the Royal New Zealand Navy, RNZN Communicators Association and his dear shipmates, of past and present, for the many years of kinship and support you have given him.
The Navy was his life. His beloved late wife, Linda May, would say “You can take the man out of the Navy, but you can’t take the Navy out of the man!”—and oh, how true that was; Bill remained the charismatic, dignified leader and professional until his very last day.
He will be missed so deeply by his surviving daughter Charmaine and family. But we take comfort in the fact that he is reunited with his dearly departed wife, eldest child Desrae (D), youngest child Darrell (D),
and his many siblings.
In the warmth of our treasured memories of Bill, we will remember him.
So sad to read of Wiremu’s GTB, he will be sorely missed.
My deepest sympathies to his whanau, may he rest in peace.
Bill was a much respected and liked member of the RAOB. The members of Rotorua Thermal Lodge will miss him and his parrot.
Kia ora Bill,
It is with the greatest sadness I and my former wife Pimia Pewhairangi , Tokomaru Bay learn of your passing.
I was an ord tel On board the Bellona/Royalist with you and followed your career through the Navy.
Clem Mellish