Acacia Ridge fatal: William ‘Bill’ Stark, 60, identified as victim
The pedestrian struck by a vehicle and killed at Acacia Ridge on Sunday night has been remembered as a hands-on grandad who loved woodworking with his 11 grandkids and being part of the rugby league community.
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The pedestrian struck by a vehicle and killed at Acacia Ridge on Sunday night has been identified as grandfather of-11 William ‘Bill’ Stark, 60.
Police believe Mr Stark was hit as he crossed Beaudesert Rd near Coopers Colonial Motel just after 6pm, with the Forensic Crash Unit still investigating.
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Mr Stark, who moved to Acacia Ridge several years ago from his hometown of Townsville, has been remembered as a giant of Townsville rugby league via his two-decade stint refereeing at the Central Tigers Junior Rugby League Football Club and a hands-on grandad who loved teaching his grandkids new things.
Daughter Rebecca Stark, one of Mr Stark’s three children, said her dad “loved his (North Queensland) Cowboys, loved his grandkids and was very into football”.
“His main focus was his grandkids, he really enjoyed being in their lives,” Rebecca said.
Mr Stark, a former timber worker, took the time to build cubby houses for his grandkids and one of them, three-year-old Shiloh, still walks around with a toy hammer and bag of nails.
Rebecca, who is currently in COVID-19 quarantine, said the past few days have been a “hard journey” for the family, who were all eagerly awaiting Christmas when their dad and grandad would travel back home to Townsville.
“When someone is taken so fast and you don’t know you’re saying goodbye for the last time …” she said, trailing off.
Rebecca said there is a “very big crowd” waiting for Mr Stark back in Townsville, where he was especially beloved by its large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, for his final homecoming.
Former Newcastle Knights star and Townsville local Milton Thaiday posted a heartfelt tribute to “uncs (uncle) Starky”.
“A caring straight out fella and loving person, you blew the whistle for many of us starting out on our footy journey,” he said.
“There were times you would send us off the field for being cheeky and you also kept up with many of us once we grew older, showing your deadly pace for a referee.
“We had lots of beers and yarned about anything including what was ahead for us young lads to look forward to.
“Thanks for those times old fella.”