Hotelier Sir William Hastings dies at 89

You are viewing content from Q Mid Antrim 107. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

David Hunter

Hotelier Sir William Hastings has died at the age of 89. 

In a statement his family say he passed away peacefully at home on Friday surrounded by his wife Joy, and children, Julie, Howard, Allyson and Aileen.

Billy was married for 57 years and enjoyed a highly succesful career after leaving Royal Belfast Academical Institution at the age of 16. 

From there he went into the timber trade as a junior apprentice before joining his brother Roy in the family licensed trade business at 18.

Together they owned a series of pubs based mainly in East Belfast before he purchased the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena in 1964. 

He wasn't deterred by the troubles and continued to expand his portfolio with the purchase of six railway hotels from Grand Metropolitan in 1971. The Slieve Donard Hotel is the only one remaining today. 

His dedication to the industry was recognised when he received a Knighthood in 2009 having already been awarded a CBE and an OBE.

The University of Ulster awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters in 1998.

William was Chairman and board member of a number of organisations including the Institute of Directors, the Transport Holding Company, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Bass Ireland and a passionate member and past president of the Belfast East Rotary Club for 50 years as well as a loyal parishioner formerly of Drumbeg Church of Ireland and latterly of Downpatrick Cathedral. 

He also worked with many charities including Help the Aged, Chest Heart and Stroke and Men Against Cancer.

 The family statement said "He took great pride in working together with us in the family business and until he took ill earlier this year, he still came into his office every day and continued to play a key role as Chairman of Hastings Hotels.

"In 2015 Billy was immensely proud to announce the purchase of what is to be the seventh Hastings hotel and he was very much looking forward to seeing the rebirth of the Grand Central Hotel when it opens next year.

"We cannot describe the huge void that he has left in our lives but we take comfort in the fact that he was an inspiration to so many people and has left a lasting legacy which we will remain dedicated in honouring.”

Join the Thank Q Club

Sign up for the Thank Q Club and receive exclusive offers, fun competitions and amazing prizes - it's quick and easy to do!

Sign Up Log In

Listen on the go

Download the Q Radio app to keep listening, wherever you are! It's available on Apple and Android devices.

Download from the App Store Download from Google Play