A VETERAN DJ who only retired six weeks ago has died.

Bill Wheeler, better known as Rockin’ Bill, played classic records in Brighton from 1962 until October this year.

He had been suffering from lung cancer and passed away on Sunday morning at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, aged 68.

His wife Pam Wheeler, 63, who he lived with in Ninfield Place, Brighton, told The Argus: “He was my wonderful husband.

“I know he’s watching over me – I will always love him.”

We reported on October 30 that Rockin’ Bill had spun his last record.

He said at the time: “I still love the music. I do miss it but I am not strong enough now.

Mrs Wheeler added: “He was so pleased when he saw the piece in The Argus.”

The rock ’n’ roll DJ has spun his 1950s and 1960s vinyls at many pubs in Brighton, including the Bat And Ball, Prince Of Wales, Brighton Tavern, Queen’s Head and the Chequers.

Bill first set foot in a record shop when he was 12 and, with more than 50 years of music collecting under his belt, amassed 5,000 vinyl 33s and 45s.

He told The Argus in October: “I have always loved vinyl. I love the sound of it, the crackle.

“Vinyls are still the best recordings you can get.

“They will live on forever.”

Rockin’ Bill’s niece, Dawn Lawson, said: “He was so well loved by everybody.

“He was always joking and laughing around.”

The 52-year-old, of The Avenue, Brighton, added: “I didn’t want to see him suffer but then he never complained even though he was very poorly.

“Thankfully it was pretty quick and he did just go to sleep.”

With vinyl seeing a renaissance in recent times, Bill had some advice to pass on to readers of The Argus in October: “Buy a nice record player, play your records and keep vinyl alive.”

Two relics of his which will live on are jackets in Brighton Museum: a rocker jacket from 1964 and a Teddy Boy jacket from 1965.

A date has yet to be set for Mr Wheeler’s funeral.