Billy Butlin - Later Life

Later Life

Growing up, Butlin had lived with his aunt Jessie in the Swan Pub in Coaley, in his later life he was able to purchase desirable property for himself; for many years living on The Bishops Avenue. His house there was Dane Court in Hampstead, which he purchased in 1947. Butlin sold Dane Court in 1951, and moved to a property in Grosvenor Square. He remained in this property through the 1950s and 1960s.

Butlin retired in 1969, handing over running the company to his son Bobby. A hostile takeover bid by Phonographic Equipment in November 1969 made him decide to come out of retirement, in the capacity of "consultant". With his father's help Bobby fended off the takeover, and Butlin returned to his retirement. In 1972, the Rank Organisation launched a friendly takeover for £43 million (2011:£423 million), which both Butlin and his son agreed to accept.

Butlin's retirement was forced by circumstance. His accountant informed Butlin that the total rate of income tax and surtax that Butlin was due to pay for the coming year was 115% of his income. Butlin took the decision to move from his London home to become a permanent resident in Blair Adam House, St. John, on the island of Jersey, in the Channel Islands. This move was financially beneficial since Jersey had a fixed 20% rate of income tax. He remained a resident of Jersey until his death on 12 June 1980, aged 80. He is buried in the parish of St John and his grave is shaped to represent a double bed.

Butlin actively engaged in charity work through the Grand Order of Water Rats and through the Variety Club. In 1963, he set up the Bill Butlin charitable trust, and in 1966 donated £100,000 (2011:£1.39 million) to set up a trust to help in cases where police officers were incapacitated or fatally injured while on active duty. With public support the fund grew firstly to £250,000 and eventually to over £1 million. In return he received many honours, from having a Hybrid Tea Rose name after him, to his knighthood in 1964. In being knighted, Butlin was following in the footsteps of his great uncle Sir Henry Trentham Butlin, an eminent surgeon. In 1960, Butlin was awarded the Carl Alan award for his services to dance.