I have so many happy and fond memories with my cousin William. 
The earliest memory I have of William was before Rebecca was born. Me, Matthew and William were in the living room and watching TV, one of Williams great loves. We watched the film Madagascar, which featured another great love of Williams, animals. We watched it once through and when the film reached the credits, William put the film on again. He must have only been about three, but he knew what buttons he needed to press on the remote to get what he wanted! So myself and Matthew sat and watched it through again (it is a great film after all). Again, we got to the credits for the second time round and William pressed play once more! He loved animals, cartoons, music and comedy. Madagascar always makes me think of William.


I also have so many fond memories of sleepovers when we were little and every night before bed Rebecca would ask me and Matthew to read her and William a story. This fast became a full performance for Rebecca and William with costumes and characters. It was always about who could get the biggest laugh from William. His infectious and joyous laugh was simply the best sound in the world. Rebecca then started to join in the performances and the three of us would compete to get the biggest laugh from William (I like to think that I was alway fairly successful in that department). 


I also have fond memories of Williams love of music and singing. The first time I watched Mamma Mia was with William and he loved the songs. I used to love how he would sing the last word of every line because he liked how they would rhyme with the next line. 


I always got so excited whenever a trip to our cousins was coming up. So many of my fond childhood memories involve William. Swimming, playing board games, walking Lottie in the woods, sledging at Christmas, watching endless Phineas and Ferb, how Lottie would always position herself at William’s feet when we were eating as he was always very generous and shared his food with her.


I was very grateful to be able to go on two holidays with William, one to Paris and the other in Majorca. Highlights include eating snails and an evening boat trip. Memories I will treasure forever.


William lit up a room with his energy and laughter and I will miss him so much. 


Love Ellena xx