William Douglas Grey (“Bill”) Trollip (1948S) | 1932 - 2020

William Douglas Grey (“Bill”) Trollip died in Hermanus in April, within months of the deaths of his close school mates, Hilary Squires and Bill Fairhead. These three and I were at Bishops during the historic 1940s which saw the end of World War 11, the visit by the British Royal Family in 1947, the electoral victory of the National Party under Dr Malan in 1948 and the celebration of our school’s 150 birthday in 1949.

Bill was born in the East Rand where his father represented Brakpan in Parliament before eventually serving as Speaker of the House, Cabinet Minister and Administrator of Natal.

At Bishops, he participated in most sports and represented School House at rugby and athletics and the college in boxing and, academically, attracted special attention when he matriculated a scant few days after his sixteenth birthday.

After graduating at UCT, Bill did his articles at Bowman, Gilfillan and Blacklock before joining Cliffe, Dekker and Todd where he became a partner before starting his own law firm, Troll, Munro. He was from all reports an excellent attorney as well as a very successful cattle farmer who, with his neighbour, Gary Player, shared several ventures.

As a legal man, he was, as the leading advocate, Johan du Plessis, notes, “not a man who minced his words. He knew how to get to the point and then fearlessly defended his view. These were some of the qualities that created his reputation as a brilliant lawyer. He was a masterful tactician and strategist which accounted for the admiration that was bestowed on him by (legal) giant Fanie Cilliers”

He was also Chairman of the Johannesburg Operatic and Dramatic Society (JODS) through which he met many local and overseas film personalities and through which he was able to satisfy his lifelong love for music and ballet.

His nephew, Jonathan Trollip, remembers him with great fondness and apart from his ever-gracious hospitality, his passion for the Olympic Games – he attended several of them –and his sense of humour.
He is survived by his wife, Anne, and six daughters

 - Francois Marais (School 1949)