Bill Stirton, former head of the artists’ department at DC Thomson, has died at the age of 94.
In a 37-year career with the company he was studio manager in the days before computers and was involved in producing artwork for many publications.
He also tutored young artists and took great pride in seeing them develop their skills and abilities.
Mr Stirton saw active service during the Second World War and was in the retreat at St Valery where he escaped the advancing Germans by plunging into the English Channel and scrambling up a net to board a rescue ship.
Born in Birkhill and educated at Muirhead and Logie Central schools, he joined the Territorial Army in 1938 and on the outbreak of hostilities the next year he was called up into the 237 Highland Field Company, Royal Engineers.
His unit went right through Italy clearing mines and building bridges and had to be near the front. He later confessed to not being able to explain his luck to survive the terrifying experience.
He joined DC Thomson after the war and in 1956 went to join the art department of the Daily Express in London. Homesick, he returned to Dundee and the company within a year.
The period was one of expansion, with Bunty launched in 1958 and Judy in 1960, followed by a succession of new titles on the Meadowside slipway including Victor, Diana, Hornet, Jackie and Mandy.
Mr Stirton became studio manager in 1974 and led the department when the tools of the trade were a drawing board, set square, ruler, pens, Radiograph, Letraset and pencils.
He recently said: “There was a lot of pressure because every publication needed work done by the department. But it all went smoothly and we still had time for a laugh and a bit of fun.”
Mr Stirton, who retired in 1985, lived at Rosemount in Blairgowrie where he golfed. He was also a member of the Dundee Press Club.
He was active long into his retirement and was a regular contributor to The Courier’s Craigie column, posting his final letter only last week.
His wife Christian died in 2006 and he is survived by a son, two daughters and four grandchildren.