Syd Williams was born in Brineton in 1907 being one of 14 children.  The family were Tenant farmers to Lord Bradford of Weston Park.   He attended school in Blymhill which was a 7 mile round trip each day on foot and he prided himself in never having a day off school.   Being from a long farming background it naturally followed that Syd would become a farmer too.   After helping on his family farm, he then moved to Norbury and eventually to Penkridge.   In 1934 Syd took up the County Council Tenancy of no. 8 Deanery Farm, Water Eaton Lane where he remained until his retirement from farming in 1968.

He and wife Dorothy then moved in with daughter Ilene and her family on Wolverhampton Road.   Not long afterwards, Syd got a job as Caretaker at Wolgarston and moved into the newly built Caretakers house in the grounds of the school. On finishing at the school some years later they moved back to Ilene’s.   Syd then worked for a while at the County Council Highways Depot at Hilton

In the 1940’s Syd became a Parish Councillor and remained so until his death in 1987 when he had served for over 40 years.   During that time he also served on Cannock Rural District Council and later South Staffs District Council.   Having served 40 years on the Parish Council, Syd was presented with a gift, certificate and a shield was purchased, which he chose to present to Middle School to be awarded Annually for “Good Attendance”, thinking about his own attendance record.   One achievement he was most proud of was helping to push forward the development of Riverside and associated flats and bungalows.

As well as being a very active and dedicated councillor, Syd also served for many years on the Peace Memorial Committee and the Senior Citizen’s Welfare Committee.   He was a Governor at St Michael’s School, Marshbrook School and Middle School.   For some time he was President of the Bowling Club.

Syd was a very well known local character and could be seen most days walking around the village, chatting to people, keeping a watchful eye on the community and its goings on.   At home there was a constant stream of phone calls and visitor’s on council business - the door was always open to everyone whatever the time!   He was an exceptionally community spirited person and loved to help people whenever he could, thriving on being involved and at the heart of things.

In his private life Syd was a much loved father, grandfather and great grandfather.   Coming from a large farming family he enjoyed visiting his siblings at their farms and helping out or offering advice, very much a family man - dedicated and passionate about everything he did.  Even after all the passing years he is still greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his family.

Petula Hughes (Grand daughter)