A pair of identical twins have just celebrated their 100th birthday- naming a love of sports as the secret to a long and happy life.
Williams Casey — known as Bill — and his twin brother Jack celebrated their centenary together earlier this year with cake, drinks, and friends at his retirement home in Didcot, Oxon.
Photos from the celebration show the pair enjoying themselves in inflatable crowns – and holding their cards from King Charles.
Bill, who is “the oldest twin by ten minutes”, enjoys an artistic life, having taken up painting in retirement and making time for his health- with 20 minutes of exercise daily.
Reflecting on his 100 years, he said that the computer is the most important invention that he has seen in his lifetime with its “amazing possibilities.”
When asked what he credits for helping him reach this impressive milestone, he credited “clean and healthy living, staying active, sheer determination, and good genes.”
Bill added: “I always intended to reach 100 and now it’s here, I’m looking forward to the next 100!”
His advice to young people was to “have an interest in sport – particularly cricket! And keep yourself active.”
Originally from Wandsworth, south London, the twins both joined the army in 1945 as members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
They spent 15 months in Malaysia, with Bill confessing they “got up to lots of tricks being identical twins!”
Bill met his future wife, Joan, at Butlins near Pwllheli in Wales in 1951, and they married in Cirencester in 1953 before welcoming their son, Martin, in 1955.
Bill and Joan settled in Sutton, Surrey, where Bill worked as a skills and training instructor for the Government.
He became a qualified member of the Institute of Training Officers before retiring as a manager in 1984.
Now Bill has settled down at Williams Place, a McCarthy Stone retirement home.
Estate manager Nina Woodbridge said: “Bill is such a warm and friendly member of our lovely community, having lived here for five years.
“He’s got a great sense of humor and loves having a laugh with the team and his neighbors.
“We’re so happy to share his special day with Bill and his brother.”
