Oxford and Collins say that past tense can be used while reporting something that is still true at the time of reporting. But then it contradicts with the Implicature of Discontinuation rule.
R saying to S, 'I told N that my Grandfather was a good person, and asked him not to say anything more.'
(In this I have said Grandfather was, even though, he is still alive. Is it correct?)
If it is, then when I say, 'Bill was the founder of Microsoft.' This should also be correct? But some people have said to me that this sentence implies Bill is no more.
And I have found out that it is because of Implicature of Discontinuation.