STAN CHUN
15/04/2009
Bill,
You left very deep footprints on this earth that are hard to fill and to follow.
Go now to be with Marie and she will cook you a heavenly Chinese meal.
Stan
John Carroll
16/04/2009
Bill was an inspiration to me and my 10 years working for him forged my attitude to business and a focus on trying to put myself in the customers shoes.
I owe a lot to the many things I leared from Bill, especially how he would let you learn from your mistakes but was always in the background offering his support and skills.
When you consider he built a major business up from small beginnings by hard work and a simple uncomplicated approach to things you have to hold him in high regard, something I do and cherish.
He understood his own weaknesses, such as a sense of impatience with some frustrating customers, by limiting his time behind the counter, but used his talents by pioneering full description tree tags and showcards to name just a couple of things.
I am sure there were purist horticulturalists who shuddered when he put an emphasis on common names that were easy to remember rather than some long winded, hard to prounounce (let alone spell) botanical names.
Lets face it, the Champagne Bubbles shrub was much more sexy and easy to remember than Pernettya Mucranarta!
I also appreciated how Bill treated me like one of the family and his generosity with trips and gifts he gave to me during my time with the company. My 10 years working at Zenith's were all the more richer for the time spent with Bill and I carry many memories of that time to this day.
Bill, go join Marie in the afterlife and thank you for what you contributed to me.
Marie Chun
16/04/2009
I would like to place a message from Mum that she wanted read at Dads Service ...
Dear Bill
Haven’t we had a full life. So busy from day one. We worked, we built, we created, we had a family – together you and I.
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to look after you at the end, to comfort you and see you off. I know you’ve been asking for me. I’ve been waiting. You’ve been in good hands. The family would have looked after you as well as they looked after me.
Everyone, Bill’s with me now, he’s very happy, not asking too many questions – both free of our worn out bodies.
So don’t worry anymore – its been a burden for you all I know. Bill and I are grateful for your care. It will all be fine.
Time for a cuppa and cook something up for dinner. Sleep well tonight, see you tomorrow sometime.
All our love
Marie and Bill
Liz Poy
17/04/2009
Liz Poy
17 Vista Street
Greenwich NSW
lizpoy@wr.com.au
Uncle Bill
I was very saddened to hear of your passing. You have always been an inspiration to me and someone to aspire to.
As a young teenager you gave me my first break in the workforce, bottling Alaska Liquid manure and labelling the bottles. Whilst this may not have been the most stimulating work, I valued the opportunity for some school holiday work at the time and it instilled in me the virtues of working hard and aiming for bigger and better things.
You and Auntie Marie have always been generous and hospitable to me. I recall the first overseas trip you took me on with your family to Christchurch. I remember the stories you told of your time in the airforce and your many trips overseas. Even when we moved to Sydney you would take the time to contact us and catch up for a meal.
Whenever we came back to Wellington to visit, you and Auntie Marie would be most hospitable and always invited us for dinner or afternoon tea at your home. They were all good and memorable times.
I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to see you and Auntie Marie in Feb when I returned for the Reunion and I truely enjoyed the conversations we had together.
We all take comfort that you are both together again and you will be forever in our hearts.
Love
Liz
Shirley Ng
17/04/2009
Though I am dead, grieve not for me with tears,
Think not of death with sorrowing and fears;
I am so near that every tear you shed
Touches me, although you think me dead.
But when you laugh and sing in glad delight,
My soul is lifted upwards to the height,
Laugh and be glad for all that life is giving,
And I, though dead, will share your joy in living.
Shirley Ng
17/04/2009
I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new
I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
I think of you in silence I often speak your name
All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake with which I'll never part
God has you in His keeping I have you in my heart.
Karleen Wilkins
18/04/2009
Dear, The Chun Family
I am so sorry to here of the passing of Bill, this last month must be very been difficult for all of you. Bill and Marie will now be together for ever and at peace.
Bill was an amazing man, so dedicated and proud of Zeniths. Always willing to give advisce to staff and share his great knowledge of plants.
It was always a great relief to have Bill pop in on a busy Sunday, we would be flat out serving customers (back in the old days, as he would say!!), he would just get stuck in, and help. But after the rush he would say, wow you served 4 customers to my 1, I had better leave it to you now.
Bill was a very generous, kind and caring employer and treated all staff with respect. Everyone, that I worked with over the (approx) 16 years had huge respect for Mr Chun.
Throughout the years, even in the last few that Zenith was open, he would always say to me, "I remember the first day you started". I don't know how he remembered as I couldn't remember my first day! That has always made me feel proud, to have worked in a wonderful family business that Bill and Marie masterminded.
Zenith Garden Centre has never been far from my thoughts, I had alot of happy times there.
May the precious memories you hold in your heart remain forever.
Karleen Wilkins
Norman Bow
19/04/2009
Dear Bill,
We could not believe that you passed away so soon after Marie, however, you have left us with many happy memories that will remain in our hearts for a long time to come. You were always full of energy running your nursery business and socially involved with playing tennis and looking after all your fish. I even remember singing karaoke with you - and you weren't such a bad singer either.
Whenever we visited you and Marie at Marina Grove we were always treated like royalty. We remember your happy nature, your generosity and kindness. We remember the great meals that you and Marie provided. Nothing was too good for us as your guests. Thank you for all those happy memories. Now God speed to be with Marie and other friends in Bill Wong, Estelle and Phillipa.
Love from
Norman, Mei-Ling and Matthew
Peter Dunshea
20/04/2009
Bill Chun
A master of the written word, an exponent of “Love Marks” who captured the excitement of romance in his marketing of a simple flower... all before his time.
To you Bill I say thank you for inspiring me at a distance, filling me with a desire to encourage my customers, to experience the joy of nurturing and appreciating plants.
As a colleague in the retail trade I have much admired your skill in speaking to the customer through your Advertising Copy, enticing the customer in a way that no other person had ever done.
Bill you were well ahead of your time, and your vision and market appreciation has been an inspiration to me.
Go forth and enjoy, you have left your mark in the world of Horticulture as a retail Trail Blazer.
Thank you
Peter Dunshea
Twigland
Ray Wong-She
20/04/2009
Neville and Danny
I was deeply saddened by news of the passing of your dad.
Bill will remain forever in my memory.
It was my good fortune to be touched by his generosity and open house hospitality.
The competition, but especially the camaraderie on the tennis court was a special bond.
His business acumen, wisdom and integrity was an inspiration to all.
Bill's legacy live on.
Good luck and best wishes to the future of the Zenith Empire.
My heartfelt condolences to all the family.
Sincere regards
Ray
Don Liddle
23/04/2009
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing, our deepest sympathies are with you.
Bill's natural horticulture marketing skills were greatly admired.
He had a definite stamp on how to sell plants.
Don & Liddle Wonder
