AN SNP councillor who “put his heart and soul” into championing his local community for almost 20 years has died, his colleagues have confirmed.
Aberdeen councillor Bill Cormie died on Sunday evening aged 71 after representing the Midstocket and Rosemount area for 19 years.
During his time at the local authority, Cormie served as the depute provost of the city and was a serving Baillie and Burgess of Aberdeen.
Aberdeen City Council co-leader and SNP group leader, Christian Allard, told The Press and Journal that Cormie will be missed by many across the city.
He said: “Bill was a colleague and friend to many, and this is very sad news that he has passed away last night.
“He has been a champion for his community of Rosemount and Midstocket for 19 years on the council, and I know he will be missed by many across the city.
“We are all thinking about those closest to Bill.”
Kevin Stewart, Cormie’s SNP colleague during his first four years as a councillor also paid tribute to him.
“Bill was larger than life and put his heart and soul into representing the folk of Midstocket and Rosemount on Aberdeen City Council,” he said.
“Condolences to his family and his many, many friends.”
The Saltire has also been flown at half-mast outside Marischal College, the headquarters of Aberdeen City Council, on Monday following Cormie’s passing.
Lord Provost David Cameron said: “Councillor Bill Cormie has been part of my life for more than 20 years and a councillor colleague since May 2012.
“Having been the deputy provost when I first met him during the 2007 to 2012 council term his contribution to the city, and in particular his ward, was second to none.
“In recent years his health was not good but that did not prevent him from continuing to be a very strong advocate for the residents and businesses in Midstocket and Rosemount, which he represented for nearly 20 years.
“He will be missed by all, and I am sad that today I and others have lost a valued colleague.
“My thoughts are particularly with his daughter Penny and his other colleagues, family and friends.”
Tributes were also paid from members across other parties in Aberdeen with Lib Dem council co-leader Ian Yuill telling The Press and Journal that he will miss Cormie.
“Bill had not been in the best of health in recent months but it was an awful shock to hear the news this morning,” he said.
“He was a lovely and thoroughly decent man who cared passionately for the community he lived in and served, and for the city.
“I only have fond memories of Bill and he will be sadly missed by his council colleagues, the people he represented and our thoughts are with Bill’s daughter Penny at this horrible time.”
Labour’s M Tauqeer Malik also said he was saddened by the news and described Cormie as a “warm” and “kind” man who always had a smile on his face.
“Bill was one of the nicest people you could meet in Aberdeen City Council. He loved representing his constituents and always put them first,” he said.
“Despite struggling with his health recently, he remained the Bill we all knew and loved — warm, kind and always with a smile on his face.
“Aberdeen City Council has lost a dedicated public servant and a genuinely lovely man. Bill will be greatly missed.”
