A couple who had been together for more than 25 years were able to say ‘I Do’ at Walsall Manor Hospital – just hours before the new groom died.

Bill Coney, 74, proposed to his long-term partner Donna Clarke, 52, at 8.30pm on Monday 1 July, as he received palliative care on Ward 17.

“The staff had been teasing him a bit about us being together so long and not getting married and he suddenly asked me – in typical Bill style he just said: “Do you want to get married?” And I said yes straight away, I didn’t leave him wondering!” said Donna.

She said Bill, a former tree surgeon, had several health problems including interstitial lung disease and heart failure, as well as several other underlying co-morbidities.

After being admitted to hospital on Thursday, 27 June with shortness of breath, his condition started to deteriorate rapidly despite active treatment to treat all reversible causes.

The pair, from Willenhall, met in a pub 27 years ago and Donna, who had four children with Bill who was a father of six, said she had always loved his generosity.

“He always thought of others first, he was a kind man, wanting to help people if he could.”

Donna said she and the whole family would always be grateful to the teams at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust for helping them to get married, especially the support they received from Sarah Griffin, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Bill died comfortably and peacefully around 2.30pm on Wednesday, 3 July after getting married that morning.

Sarah added: “It was a pleasure to work with our Well Wishers charity to organise flowers, a cake and a toast to make Bill and Donna’s wedding wish come true at what was a difficult time for the family as Bill started to have end-of-life care on the ward.

“The Registrar also acted promptly to support us and apply for a special licence, and we appreciate her doing so.

“I am so sorry Donna became a bride and a widow in the same day but I’m also happy they were able to share some smiles together that day. Our condolences go out to the family as they try to come to terms with their loss.”