CHARLES WILLIAM BILL BOWERSCharles William Bowers, a former pottery company owner credited with introducing the coffee mug to the UK, died aged 75 on 1 February, 2009.Mr Bowers – better known as Bill – died after suffering lung cancer.Mr Bowers had taken over Staffordshire Potteries – which grew out of The Keele Street Pottery Group, founded by his father Charles Griffith Bowers – at the age of 29.He turned around the ailing company's fortunes to become the world's largest producer of coffee mugs. At its height, the firm was making more than one million items a week and employed at least 1,200 people.The company, based at the disused 38-acre Meir Airport, Staffordshire, became the UK's second largest producer of earthenware and a significant producer of diningware.Newcastle -born Bill was the last of four generations of Bowers potters. Great-grandfather Frederick Bowers owned GF Bowers earthenware in Tunstall, grandfather Charles Hall Bowers was managing director of Booths Tunstall and father Charles Griffiths Bowers founded Staffordshire Potteries.Mr Bowers was survived by his wife of 53 years, Louise, and their four sons.His brother Ted, of Acton, said: "Bill was strong-minded and determined and he transformed Staffordshire Potteries into a dynamic and forward-thinking manufacturer at a young age. He was also a real gentleman, who enjoyed nothing more than the company of family and friends."He was also a first-class sailor, a good rugby player for Newcastle Rugby Club and a boxer."After his retirement, Bill was involved in lots of businesses and charities. The family is very proud of his title as our own master potter and coffee mug champion."Under Mr Bower's leadership, Staffordshire Potteries developed close links with Marks & Spencer and exported throughout the world, with subsidiaries in America and Canada.In 1984, he was appointed president of the British Ceramic Manufacturers Federation in recognition of his service to the industry.He retired in 1986 after the company was bought by Coloroll. The company then became Staffordshire Tableware from 1990.Following his retirement, Mr Bowers moved to the Isle of Man where he died. The funeral was held in the Isle of Man and attended by more than 100 people.Son Robert Bowers, who lives near Market Drayton, said: "We had a lovely celebration of dad's life and lots of old colleagues from the Potteries flew over. It was great to see how highly regarded he was."Potteries’ historian Fred Hughes said: "Bill ran a very forward-thinking company that brought an extremely modern credibility to tableware and particularly introducing the American 'coffee morning' era."
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