A DEDICATED Duntocher couple will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary this week.

Billy, born in Drumchapel, and Cathie Miller, from Whiteinch, met working in a factory in the late 1960s and knew they were made for each other.

The couple married at Newton Place Church in Partick on June 17, 1972 and then left the reception to board a train to Ayr for their honeymoon.

After getting married they moved to Duntocher where Billy worked in Singer’s factory until it closed in 1980, before joining Ariston, later becoming known in the area for his job as “the washing machine man”.

Cathie enjoyed a long career at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Clydebank, and loved meeting new people.

Shortly after moving to their home on Farm Road they had their late daughter Linda in 1975 and second child Lorraine was born in 1980.

Lorraine told the Post that as a family they enjoy spending quality time together as, to them, family comes first.

She said: “Throughout my childhood, it was clear that our family was their priority. When we went to school they always wanted the best for us and tried their hardest to make sure we had that.

"They pushed us to be the best versions of ourselves and I can say that my own work ethic came from them. They’ve been so proud of my success with Pursuit Marketing and the awards that I’ve won - such as Role Model of the Year at the National Business Awards in Wembley.

“My sister graduated the University of Glasgow with an honours degree in psychology and was selected to visit Philadelphia to receive the first UK training for Peer Support Counselling. We both got our drive and ambition from our parents.

“We both knew the importance of love because of them, and they are definitely ‘couple-goals’! My dad is an old romantic and regularly buys my mum flowers, and they are a formidable couple.”

The strength of the couple was evident when daughter Linda passed away suddenly in 2016, as they rallied to be a source of strength and support to her four children.

Despite Cathie continuing to work part-time at Marks and Spencers in Braehead, they now enjoy more time together as a couple.

They’re often seen working in their beloved garden, and love chatting with passing neighbours.

However, they are always happiest when spending time with their five grandchildren: Jamie, Liam, Sarah-Jane, Cameron and Carla as well as Lorraine and son-in-law Karlito.

With a large circle of friends and family - including Billy’s brothers, and Cathie’s brothers and sisters in Scotland and Canada, and their families - lots of people wanted to wish the couple a happy anniversary but Lorraine was warned not to arrange any surprise parties or any fuss. Instead, the couple plan to celebrate with a Greek-island cruise.

Lorraine added: “After 50 incredible years together, they both deserve the world. They have always been there for both my sister Linda and me, and for our children, and continue to be the centre of our world.

"I hope they have a fantastic time on their special day, and although I stuck to my promise of no surprise parties, they deserve to be celebrated and I’m sure will be spoiled by all the family.”