A butcher who was a familiar face behind a meat counter in the Black Country for four decades has died aged 87.

Charlie Ryder set up his own business in High Street, Wordsley, in 1949, running the firm for 40 years before retiring aged 68. Mr Ryder, of Ridge Road, Kingswinford died suddenly after a fall. His daughter Andrea Marsh paid tribute to the “nicest, most cheerful, kindest person you could ever meet.”

Mrs Marsh, aged 54, is Mr Ryder’s sole surviving child after brother Graham, who was totally blind, died five years ago from pneumonia aged 59.

Tony Bulley, who Mr Ryder and wife Vera fostered, died earlier this year from septicaemia. The 64-year-old was also completely blind and Mr Ryder volunteered at the Brierley Hill & District Committee for the Welfare of the Blind for more than 30 years.

Mother-of-two Mrs Marsh, of Essex Avenue, Kingswinford, said her father, who was widowed when Vera lost her cancer battle 15 years ago aged 71, found his vocation when he set up shop opening CH Ryder Butchers.

“My dad was a well-known joker and all the men would queue up for their joints of meat on a Saturday and have a laugh with him,” the retired corporate manager’s assistant at Barclays Bank said.

“My mum wanted him to finish but he carried on until he was 68 because he just loved his job, he loved the people.”

Prior to establishing his own business the grandfather-of-two, who also leaves two great-grandchildren, had signed up for the Royal Air Force in 1940 and served throughout the Second World War.

He married Vera Adams on April 24, 1943 and had lived in the same home in Kingswinford for half a century.

His interests included days out at the races and time at his regular, The Bridge in Wall Heath, where he would enjoy a game of dominos or cribbage.

Mr Ryder died on August 20. A funeral service will be held at Gornal Wood Crematorium from 2.50pm on September 3.

Family flowers only, but donations can be sent to the Brierley Hill & District Committee for the Welfare of the Blind.