Tributes for ‘very well-respected’ Kevin Wills found dead in his backyard during Rochester floods

The flood-ravaged town of Rochester is mourning the death of a man who was described as the kind of person who keeps country towns going.

Kevin Wills’ body was found in the Rochester floods. Picture: Supplied

A man whose body was found at his home in the Rochester floods was a respected member of the local community.

Emergency services were called at 9.30am on Saturday after Kevin Wills was found in the backyard of his High St house.

Ian Crouch, who lived opposite Mr Wills for the past 15 years, said his mate was the kind of man who kept country towns going.

“He was very well-respected in the town,” Mr Crouch said.

Aerial pictures show the extent of the flooding in Rochester. Picture: Facebook

Hotelier Ian Crouch, who had lived opposite Mr Wills for the past 15 years, said his mate was the kind of man who kept country towns going.

There was shock in the area, already reeling from the widespread flood damage, as word spread of what had happened to Mr Wills.

“He was very well-respected in the town,” Mr Crouch said.

Mr Wills, who was born and bred in Rochester, had lived with his wife Anne at the High St house for many years.

A woman was rescued safely from the property on Saturday.

Mr Wills had been involved with the Rochester Football Club, the Lions Club and would look after neighbours’ pets when they were away.

Mr Crouch, who runs the Shamrock Hotel in Gillies St, said Mr Wills could be seen daily walking his red heeler dog in the street and would drop into his back shed for a beer regularly.

“He was a very good bloke,” Mr Crouch said.

Mr Wills, a former local panelbeater, was known for being highly skilled with motor vehicles.

Mr Crouch, said his pride and joy was an early 1970s Ford ute he had painstakingly restored.

“He was a bloke who made things happen. A really good fella,” another local said.

The exact cause of Mr Wills’ death has not been officially released.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

A Victoria Police statement issued on Saturday said: “Access to the scene was difficult given the surrounding floodwater, however, emergency services have been able to extract the deceased as well as a woman who was unharmed but trapped at the address. The exact circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be determined.”