William Deans obituary

My father, William Deans, who has died aged 69 from cancer, started every day with a quiet moment over a coffee, reading the Guardian, occasionally breaking the contented silence to discuss the latest news with his wife, Geraldine. William would then take the cryptic crossword aside and work on it periodically throughout the day, solving each clue with steady determination. His love for crosswords in his retirement can be seen as a natural progression from his successful career at Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ).

In 1984, after several years working as a researcher and lecturer at universities, William moved with his family to Cheltenham to take up a post at GCHQ. While his work there remains secret, we do know that he left his mark at the organisation as a well-liked team leader and respected mentor. William thrived in the intellectually stimulating environment of GCHQ and, in recognition of his contributions, William and Geraldine were invitees at one of the Queen's garden tea parties.