Mould began his career at his grandfather’s printing business – Mould Printing Company in Leyland – in 1939.

He applied to join the RAF in 1942 and was called up in 1943, and went on to fly many missions in Kittyhawk and P-51 Mustang fighter planes.

Mould’s son Christian Mould takes up his father’s incredible war story: “He was eventually shot down over Yugoslavia. The crash broke his back but he was picked up by Tito’s Partisans and transported over 100 miles in a hay cart back to the Allied lines.”

Mould was handed over to a British patrol that was headed by Winston Churchill’s son Randolph, who gave the half-naked Mould a shirt to wear – an item that he kept and that is among his effects.

“His recovery was long and included 12 months in a full body cast. He returned to the family business and remained in printing for the rest of his career,” Christian Mould explained.

Mould Printing Company changed its name to Leyland Printing Company, and Bill Mould was its managing director until he retired in 2005. The Mould family connection continues at Affinity Packaging today.

“He remained deeply involved in the business and was last in the factory in December 2023 at the ripe old age of 99.

“Bill was a fiery character and a hard taskmaster but also one of the fairest and supportive employers and his staff adored and deeply respected him.”

Mould had many passions outside work. He built a 46-foot yacht by hand in the factory yard, which he then took on numerous sailing trips including sailing to Spain and back after gaining his Ocean Yachtmaster certificate – the gold standard for aspiring skippers.

He also single-handedly rebuilt three light aircraft in a warehouse at the print factory, which to this day is referred to as “the Hanger”.

“At the age of 80 he was still flying and only stopped when his new (considerably younger) doctor refused to sign his medical certificate. Allegedly his old doctor was happy to sign him off for a bottle of Scotch!

“At 100 years old he even drove himself to his own birthday party and he attended the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations this year courtesy of the RAF.”

Mould made a record of his incredible life story and experiences using an old typewriter, but had specified that the full details should only be shared after his death.

Mould died on 29 September. He is survived by his two sons David and Christian and their five children.

He also met his late wife Monica when he was in the RAF. She died in January aged 101.

His funeral will be held at 11.30am on Monday 21 October at St Joseph’s Church, Saxon Road, Birkdale, Southport PR8 2HF.

Industry friends and associates are welcome to attend.

Charitable donations in his memory can be made to the RNLI. Mould was a great supporter of the charity’s work.