William John March is the name many people search for when they want to know about Mary Berry’s late son. He was a young man of 19 who died in a car crash in 1989, and his family has spoken about him with love ever since. Mary Berry, the celebrated British cook and television presenter, has described him as a joy to the whole family.
This guide explains who he was, how he died, and how his memory is kept alive today. It relies on interviews Mary Berry has given to British Vogue, the BBC documentary The Mary Berry Story, Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast and the charity Child Bereavement UK. Where details differ between reports, you will see a clear note.
Quick Facts About William John March
| Detail | Fact |
| Name used online | William John March (the family and most interviews simply say “William” or “Will”) |
| Known as | Mary Berry’s son |
| Mother | Dame Mary Berry, British food writer, chef and TV presenter (born 24 March 1935, Bath) |
| Father | Paul Hunnings (married to Mary Berry since 1966) |
| Siblings | Thomas (Tom) and Annabel |
| Age at death | 19 |
| Year of death | 1989 (a January day, according to Mary’s own account) |
| Cause of death | Car crash |
| Who else was in the car | His sister Annabel, who survived |
| Education | University student, home for the weekend (one report says polytechnic) |
| Known interest | Tennis |
| Favourite meal | Roast lamb |
| Marital status | Not married. No spouse or children are publicly recorded |
| Charity connection | Mary Berry is a patron of Child Bereavement UK |
| Years since his death (2026) | 37 |
| How the family remembers him | Photos around the home and a toast to Will every Christmas |
Who Was William John March?
William was the son of Mary Berry and her husband, Paul Hunnings. He grew up in a close family with a brother, Thomas, and a sister, Annabel. Family and friends remember him as kind, easy to like and full of life.
He was still a student when he died. That is why most of what the public knows comes from his mother’s memories rather than from official records. His life was short and private, yet it left a deep mark on everyone who knew him.
The Family Behind William John March
Mary Berry and Paul Hunnings married in 1966. They raised three children: Thomas, William and Annabel. Thomas, known as Tom, and Annabel are the two surviving siblings.
A quick note on names. Some websites list him as William John March, while newspaper interviews and the family refer to him as William. Mary Berry’s public profile uses her professional name, and her husband is Paul Hunnings. If you see a different surname online, treat it with care unless a reliable source backs it up.
William John March’s Education and Interests
William was studying away from home when he died. The family has said he came back for weekends, and Mary Berry has said she cooked his favourite food to welcome him. Reports describe him as a university student. One newspaper account calls it a polytechnic. The exact college and course have never been confirmed publicly, so it is best not to guess.
A Sporty and Dependable Young Man
Sport was part of his character. Mary Berry has said that people still come up to her and remember Will as a smashing chap and a good tennis player. She says those conversations make her feel proud.
His family also describes a helpful young man. On the morning he died, he borrowed the family car for a simple errand. Reports mention fetching the weekend newspapers or going into town with his sister.
His Favourite Family Meal
His favourite meal was roast lamb. That weekend, Mary prepared it because he had not been home for a few weekends and she wanted to give him a proper welcome. The family sat waiting for him at lunchtime, and he never arrived.
That one detail is why so many readers remember his story. A Sunday style lunch became the last family meal that never happened.
How Did William John March Die?
William died in a car crash in 1989 when he was 19. He had borrowed his mother’s car that morning, and his sister Annabel was with him. Annabel survived.
Mary Berry has spoken about the moment a policeman came to the door at about one in the afternoon. She knew straight away what it meant. She has described the feeling in two words: you just know.
Key points at a glance:
- Year: 1989
- Age: 19
- Cause: road accident
- Survivor: his sister, Annabel
- First news: a visit from a police officer
The Family’s Final Goodbye
Mary and her husband went to the local hospital to say goodbye. Mary told British Vogue that he looked beautiful and peaceful. She has also said the family felt lucky to have had him and grateful for the joy he brought.
In the Child Bereavement UK film for the One More Minute campaign, she said she would thank him for being a brilliant son. Many viewers found that line one of the most moving moments of the campaign.
Was William 19 or 20?
William was 19. Every reliable interview, including Vogue, the BBC documentary and Mary’s podcast appearances, gives his age as 19 at the time of his death.
You may see “20” on low quality websites. Those pages usually give no source and no birth date. His exact date of birth has not been published by the family, so any claim about a specific birth year or place should be treated as unconfirmed.
The Effect of William’s Death on Mary Berry
The loss changed Mary Berry’s life. She has said that Christmas still brings mixed feelings, and she thinks about people who may be struggling at that time of year. She has also spoken about it in the BBC documentary, where she visited his grave.
In the weeks after the crash, she did not want to leave the house or see people. Her local community rallied around the family. Neighbours helped, and that support kept her busy while her husband and other children stayed close.
Grief, Faith and Family Strength
One neighbour invited her to the Chelsea Flower Show soon after the loss. She was reluctant but went. She bought a new jacket and said the day made her realise that life has to go on.
Mary is widely known as a Christian, and she has spoken about faith and family as sources of strength. She has also said it felt wrong to ask “why” after William died. She does not claim there is a right way to grieve. In her words, there is no rule book.
What helped her, in her own account:
- Staying close to her husband and children
- Accepting help from neighbours
- Getting out of the house, even when it felt hard
- Having a daily purpose, such as cooking, teaching and gardening
- Talking openly about William
William John March and Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK is a charity that supports families when a baby or child of any age dies, and also supports children facing bereavement. Mary Berry has been a patron for many years. Sources give 2008 or 2009 as the year she began.
She has said she only heard of the charity some years after William died. She was impressed by the gentle, caring way it supports families. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are also patrons, and Mary met them at the charity’s headquarters in Buckinghamshire.
Her best known work with the charity is the #OneMoreMinute campaign. Celebrities, including Mary Berry, Rio Ferdinand, Jason Watkins and Ben Fogle, shared what they would say to a loved one if they had one more minute. The campaign also drew attention to a YouGov survey that found one in five grieving adults wished they had more support.
Mary Berry’s Advice to Bereaved Families
Mary’s advice is simple and human. She says to keep talking about the person who has died.
- Share a good memory instead of avoiding their name
- Say something kind about them
- Do not expect every family to grieve the same way
- Offer practical help, such as a lift or a hot meal
- Be there for neighbours and friends who are struggling
If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a child, Child Bereavement UK offers support for families and professionals across the UK.
How William’s Memory Lives On
William’s memory lives on in everyday family moments. Mary has said there are photographs of him around the house. Every Christmas, the family raises a drink to Will.
His nieces and nephews never met him, yet Mary says they know all about him. That is a gentle form of remembrance, and it keeps him part of the family story.
A Private Life with Lasting Meaning
William lived a short life away from the public eye. He was not a celebrity, and he did not leave behind a public career. His story is known because of the way his mother turned her grief into care for other families.
His legacy is not about fame. It is about love, remembrance and the support that bereaved families receive because his mother chose to speak up.
Final Thoughts
William John March was a 19 year old son, brother and tennis player whose life ended far too soon in 1989. His family has never stopped honouring him. Through interviews, a BBC documentary and her work with Child Bereavement UK, Mary Berry has helped many people feel less alone in grief.
If you take one lesson from his story, let it be this: say their name, share the memories and support those who are grieving. This article draws on published interviews and reputable news reports, and it avoids unconfirmed claims about private details.
FAQs
1. Who is William John March?
William John March, known to the family as William or Will, was Mary Berry’s son who died in a car crash in 1989.
2. How old was William John March?
He was 19 years old when he died in 1989, according to Mary Berry’s own interviews.
3. Who were William John March’s parents?
His parents are Dame Mary Berry and Paul Hunnings, who have been married since 1966.
4. Was William John March married?
No. He was a 19 year old student, and no spouse or children are publicly recorded.
5. Who were William John March’s siblings?
He had a brother, Thomas (Tom) Hunnings, and a sister, Annabel, who survived the 1989 accident.
