We are truly saddened to have to inform the directors, members and friends of Walsall Eyes of the passing of our long time contributor and supporter, Cliff Warrender.
After a long period of ill health, Cliff passed away at the age of 95, on Saturday 18th October 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Cliff has been an integral part of Walsall Eyes ever since its inception as a small consumer group in 2001. As the group grew and became a charity in 2005, Cliff became a director and also took on the role of treasurer for over 10 years, until he was forced to take a step backwards due to declining health.
Working alongside his wife and fellow director at the time, Anita, Cliff was at the centre of everything that we achieved in our early days, including becoming a charity, pioneering a transcription and equipment loan service and providing practical support for funding and enabling others to attend our day trips and social evenings. Cliff was also a constant presence to his wife Anita, enabling her to produce our quarterly newsletters, speaking at events that raised our reputation within the sight loss community and bringing new members to our attention. We know how proud both Cliff and Anita were of the work that both they and we did in our early days and the charity would not be what it is now without their incredible selfless effort.
Current Chair of Walsall Eyes, Steve Mellor and technical officer, Craig Bates, said of Cliff:
"Cliff was a true gentlemen and legend of Walsall Eyes. He was steady, wise and pragmatic and his years of personal and professional experience enabled us to drive forward as a charity. We never once saw Cliff complain or lose heart, he just got on with it and even in his 90s was attending our events with Anita, making every effort to speak to each and every person in the room. We're devestated to have lost one of our pioneers and most steadfast members, rest in peace Cliff and we hope your family can find comfort in your memory and everything you achieved."
Former director and current secretary, Dee Dewhurst added:
"Cliff was an amazing man, an Engineer, husband father and grandfather to a very close family and always found a way of working any project out no matter how large or small. He will be so very sadly missed by all at Walsall Eyes and as our long-standing Treasurer, he will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
Cliff continues the sad trend of losing our former directors and founding members such as Michael Hodgson, Mike Romano and Janet Porter over recent years, but even as we move forward, we continue to carry on with the same intentions and principles that they first started.
We will update this article with details of how our friends and members may remember Cliff once the wishes of his family have been made known.
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