A VILLAGE is mourning the loss of a former Wrexham Mayor and councillor described as a ‘great man’ who ‘was for the people of Llay’.

Former Llay County Councillor Malcolm Williams has died aged 79 after a short illness.

Mr Williams grew up in Bryn Place within the village he went on to serve.

He went to Llay School then went on to work at Llay Colliery before becoming a rescue worker based at the Wrexham Miners Rescue Station.

A member of the community council too, he was elected as a county councillor for Llay in the late 1970’s going on to serve for more than 30 years.

He was also Mayor of Wrexham from 1990 to 1991.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, another former Mayor of Wrexham and current Llay Councillor Rob Walsh said: “I knew him very well.

“Malcolm was a great councillor for Llay for many years and the residents thought so much of him. He was a great man.

“He was always on hand to help with any issue, he was always so helpful to everyone and he was very good to me.

The Leader: John O'Keeffe, Cllr Rob Walsh and former Llay Cllr Malcolm Williams (right, in the red coat)John O'Keeffe, Cllr Rob Walsh and former Llay Cllr Malcolm Williams (right, in the red coat) (Image: Staff)

“Since 2012 he enjoyed his retirement but it is well documented that he was very much part of the team that tried to save the miners rescue centre in Wrexham.

“Many years ago I approached him for some advice which I never thought would lead to me becoming a Councillor for Llay and a Mayor of Wrexham to myself.

“I owe him a lot so I would like to say thank you for everything.”

Mr Williams became councillor for Llay in the late 1970’s on the former Wrexham Maelor District Council, serving throughout the Clwyd County Council years, and then after another local authority reorganisation, the current Wrexham Council from 1996 to 2012.

Llay community councillor and lifelong friend John O’Keeffe also led the tributes to Mr Williams.

He said: “Me and Malcolm were at school together and friends all our lives.

“We went to Llay school and Llay Colliery together, doing our training in 1962.

“He’s done a lot for Llay and everyone speaks very highly of him. He has helped no end of people in the village.”

Mr O’Keeffe described Mr Williams as a “great historian” of Llay but also of the Gresford mining disaster, who was very active in the rescue effort to preserve the former miners station in Wrexham.

He added: “He did really well for Llay and was a credit to the village.

“He was a Llay lad and was for the people of Llay.”

Mr Williams served as chair of the Wrexham Council’s homes and environment scrutiny committee and before that chaired the planning committee, until being succeeded in the role by current chair Holt Cllr Mike Morris in April 1999.

A minute’s silence was held by councillors before this week’s Wrexham Council planning committee meeting, led by Cllr Morris.

Pant Cllr Stella Matthews said: “I served with Malcolm for many years and served on the federation of economic development opportunities with him as well all over the UK.

“I am sad to hear of his passing. He was a very active member of this authority for many years.”

Mr Williams was also a member of the North Wales Authority, a governor at Llay Park CP School, chair of WREN and a member of Llay Miners Heritage Centre.

He is survived by his partner Jean Lewis. His funeral will be held on June 16 at St Martin’s Church in Llay.