It is with great sadness that Machynlleth Town Council received the news that Cllr Michael Williams had passed away. Tributes were made at the Full Council Meeting on Monday 29th July. The words spoken by Mayor Jeremy Paige are below.
''There are
many people better placed than myself to talk about Michael but having read the
multitude of tributes over the past few days I feel my experience of working
alongside him echoes the experience of those authors.
As a new
Councillor he was kind and supportive to me, he never pulled rank or ever
thought that his vote was worth more than anyone else’s, he just helped. We
didn’t always agree but arguments were left in the chamber and nothing ever
became personal or awkward. I accompanied him to many events during my time as
Mayor and the warmth with which he was received everywhere was very special.
It is said
that no one can please all of the people all of the time but Michael’s charm
and skill meant he came very, very close. Reading the tributes it should not be
forgotten how resilient he was. There were tough calls to make across those 40
plus years and he made them with good grace and vigour, he was a superb orator
and goodness me…what a voice! I read a comment in one tribute that he never
needed a microphone and how true that was… he really made the most of his special
gift.
Its easy to
look busy these days with the use of social media but Michael really was busy,
quietly and modestly attending hundreds if not thousands of meetings,
relentlessly supporting the town and countless organisations, teams, societies
and local people.
I am pleased
he got to see the new bridge built, for which he had campaigned for so long,
but there are a multitude of smaller projects that happened simply because he
was there and he made things happen.
He was wise
and kind and had a vision for the future but he also had a special respect for
those who came before him and it is incumbent on us to continue his legacy.
However…. I
can hear him now telling me ‘Get on with it man!’ so I shall simply say ‘Thank
you Michael’, it is the end of an era, you will be missed but you will not be
forgotten.''
County Councillor Michael Williams' funeral will be on Wednesday 14th August at 11am in Aberystwyth at the Crematorium.
It will be a public service.
The hearse will leave Michael's home in Bryn Y Gog, Machynlleth at 10am.
For
those who are unable to be at the service in Aberystwyth, you are all welcome to line the route along Newtown Road, Maengwyn Street, Heol Pentrerhedyn & Aberystwyth Road.
The hearse will stop briefly at the Clock Tower for people in the town to pay their last respects.