THEY spent more than six decades together – and now a joint funeral will be held for a devoted couple who died within days of each other.

Bill and Doris Tarn, who were happily married for 63 years, both passed away shortly before Christmas – Bill passed away on December 16, and Doris died days later on December 22.

The Oakridge couple, who welcomed their first great-grandchild only months ago, had lived in the Basingstoke area since 1968.

Their grieving son, also called Bill, said: “Mum had dementia and dad was determined to look after her.

“He was unwell about eight years ago and I thought then that his time might be up, but when mum got dementia, he managed to keep on going to look after her. He was always concerned about what would happen to her if he was to go first.”

Bill, who was 84, and Doris, 88, met in Jarrow, in Tyne and Wear, when as a policeman, he bought tobacco from Doris in the cornershop where she worked.

They married in 1951 and moved to Basingstoke with Bill and their other son Geoff in 1968, when Bill was offered a higher-paying post in Basingstoke.

Paying tribute to his parents, Bill said: “They were devoted to each other and they were very family-orientated, they would always make the time to see cousins and visit relatives.

“They brought us up very well and I’m glad they had the chance to meet their first great-grandchild, Skylar, who was born in September. They will be very much missed.”

The couple had a passion for caravanning around the UK and Europe, and Bill took up painting after he retired.

He worked for much of his life as a safety officer at the borough council, and as part of his role he went around schools, leading Tufty Clubs, which taught children all about road safety.

Bill said: “I’m sure that a lot of people would remember him from the Tufty Club. It was something he enjoyed doing.”

The joint funeral for the couple will be held tomorrow at Basingstoke Crematorium.

They leave behind Bill, Geoff, grandchildren Robyn and Jamie, and great-granddaughter Skylar.