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Bill Reavley
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Bill Reavley 1943-2024

A tribute from John Le Lievre and Annabel Poate-Joyner.

06 January 2025

It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of our dear friend and former colleague Bill Reavley. 

Bill was an eminent clinical psychologist who influenced the careers of many mental health professionals through his expert training, supervisory and managerial skills. He was also an accomplished psychological therapist and was highly regarded by his colleagues and clients alike. 

Bill was born in Dilston, Northumberland and obtained a degree in psychology from Liverpool University before training as a clinical psychologist at Newcastle. His first post qualification job was at Winterton Hospital, Sedgefield working in adult mental health. In 1973 Bill moved to the south coast of England to become head of psychology at Graylingwell Hospital where he remained until his retirement from the NHS in 1999. 

During a long and distinguished career Bill built a reputation as a fine CBT therapist, clinical supervisor and innovative trainer. At Graylingwell he established the ENB 650 CBT training course which launched the careers of many new CBT therapists. Later in his career Bill developed an innovative interest in physical health problems and worked closely with local medical services to introduce psychological interventions for people with diabetes. 

As a trainer Bill gained international recognition and, at the invitation of the World Health Organisation traveled to Nigeria and Lesotho to train mental health workers in the use of psychological skills. Closer to home Bill developed links with the University of Surrey DClinPsy training course and provided clinical placements for numerous course trainees. He also freely gave up his time to the training of local Cruse counsellors. 

As well as being a fine clinician, Bill was a warm and approachable human being. Within his department he created an environment where people could laugh, be themselves and form life long friendships. Many colleagues will have warm memories of departmental trips to the seaside, horse riding expeditions to the south downs, in house tennis matches and Christmas parties where everyone was encouraged to perform 'a turn' ranging from tap dancing to conjuring tricks. 

Outside work, Bill was a keen tennis player, wine aficionado, francophile, dance enthusiast, rugby union fan and a talented artist, something he kept up until the end of his life. He was also a trustee of Graylingwell Chapel which is now a listed community resource where we gathered to remember Bill with his family and friends after his church service. 

After a long illness Bill died on 11 August 2024. He is survived by his wife Linda, daughters Jane and Harriet, son Michael and his grandchildren. Since his death many people have paid tributes and shared lovely memories of Bill and the warm genuine person he was. 

We will all miss him greatly.