June 1966. Butlin retired in 1969 and the Barry Island camp was the last opening under his management. Later life Growing up, Butlin had lived with his aunt Jessie in the Swan Pub in Coaley, in his later life he was able to purchase desirable property for himself, for many years living on The Bishops Avenue. His house there was Dane Court in Hampstead, which he purchased in 1947. Also in 1947 he sat on the board of directors of Belle Vue Stadium. Butlin sold Dane Court in 1951, and moved to a property in Grosvenor Square. He remained in this property through the 1950s and 1960s. Butlin retired in 1969, handing over company operations to his son Bobby. A hostile takeover bid by Phonographic Equipment in November 1969 caused him to come out of retirement, in the capacity of "consultant". With his father's help Bobby fended off the takeover, and Butlin returned to retirement. In 1972, the Rank Organisation launched a friendly takeover for £43 million (2018:£), which both Butlin and his son agreed to accept. Butlin's retirement was forced by circumstance. His accountant informed Butlin that the total rate of income tax and surtax that Butlin was due to pay for the coming year was 115% of his income. Butlin took the decision to move from his London home to become a permanent resident in Blair Adam House, Saint John, on the island of Jersey, in the Channel Islands. This move was financially beneficial since Jersey had a fixed 20% rate of income tax. He remained a resident of Jersey until his death on 12 June 1980, aged 80. He is buried in the parish of St John and his grave is shaped to represent a double bed. Butlin actively engaged in charity work through the Grand Order of Water Rats and through the Variety Club of Great Britain. He was Chief Barker of the Variety Club in 1959, 1966 and 1975. In 1963, he set up the Bill Butlin charitable trust, and in 1966 donated £100,000 (2018:£) to set up a trust to help in cases where police officers were incapacitated or fatally injured while on active duty. With public support the fund grew firstly to £250,000 and eventually to over £1 million. In return he received many honours, from having a hybrid tea rose name after him, to his knighthood in 1964. In being knighted, Butlin