Tony Williams, a former Yorkshire Rugby Football Union president and one of York's best known rugby personalities, has died in York District Hospital after a short illness. He was 72.
Mr Williams, who was born in Pontypool and was educated at West Monmouth Boys' School, began his rugby career as a winger for Pontypool youth team and later played in the back row for Pontnewyd before becoming a hooker for Panteg.
He moved to South Africa in 1964 and joined the Transvaal Referees' Society, refereeing a match at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
He moved back to England in 1968 and worked for British Aircraft Corporation as a draughtsman for Concorde at Filton, Bristol.
From 1971-74 he was secretary and referees' representative for Gloucester RFC. Mr Williams then moved to York in 1975 and quickly became involved with York Rugby Union Football Club, and the Yorkshire Referees' Society while he was also fixture secretary for Rowntree RUFC.
Later he was instrumental in the formation and training of York women's rugby team. From 1980-88 he was appointments secretary for Yorkshire Referees' Society (North and Cleveland Group) and was chairman of that body for three years. He was also Yorkshire Sunday appointments secretary for three years.
Mr Williams then became No 6 District representative on the Yorkshire RFU and was on the disciplinary committee and executive of YRFU.
His services to the game were recognised when he was appointed president of the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union for season 1998-99.
Throughout his rugby career Mr Williams always preferred to be involved in the grass roots and club level of the game and often watched second or third team games when he could have been attending an international match.
He worked as an engineering draughtsman at Rowntree Mackintosh before his retirement and then spent a lot of time in a voluntary capacity at York Railway Museum, driving steam locomotives and also being well known to hundreds of children as a driver of Thomas the Tank engines.
Mr Williams died in York District Hospital after being ill with acute pancreatitis for five weeks.
He leaves a widow Doreen, son Martin, daughter Elizabeth, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
Updated: 11:59 Monday, February 25, 2002
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