The Dursley Gazette May 19th 1934 - copied at Gloucester Records Office


Prominent Thornbury Tradesman.

Funeral of Mr J. H. Williams

With the sudden death on Friday of Mr John Hodges Williams of The Plain, Thornbury, another connection with the past has been severed, for at the age of 81 years Mr Williams was Thornbury’s oldest tradesman and he had carried on business in the town for 54 years.

Mr Williams was at the time of his death a large property owner in Thornbury, and the immediate district but he was fond of telling how he began with nothing and of the early struggles he had before he prospered.

A good many years ago Mr Williams was elected Mayor of Thornbury but for many years he had taken no active part in local government affairs.  However he took a great interest in all that appertained to the welfare of the town and only about three months ago he gave to the district council a site for the proposed public convenience for Thornbury.

Many Thornbury tradesmen were present at the funeral, which took place at Thornbury church and cemetery on Monday.  The service at the Church and at the graveside was conducted by the curate, the Rev. E. H. Grundy. Mr Williams was buried in the same grave as his wife, who died about 6 years ago.

The only family mourners who were present were his two sons, Mr J. Williams and Mr H. Williams. Among the others present were Mr J.G. Wicks and Mr C. P. Taylor (representing Messrs Crossman and co), Mr A C Pitcher, Mr S H Gayner, and Mr a Riddiford, JP (representing Thornbury Parish Council), Mr H H Fudge (representing Thornbury Town Trust) Mr E. Day (representing Mr G B Symes, JP) Mr Harold Berry, Dr L H Williams, Mr E W Pitcher, Mr F H Grace, Mr J Hodges, Mr F C Poole, Mr J Cornock, Mr A Screen, Mr J H Bartlett, Mr L Smith, Mr A G Champion Mr F Church, Mr P G Hawkins, Mr R Burchell, Mr P E Lydford, Mr A H Wilkins, Mr George Phillips, Mr F W Davies, Mr D J Matthews, Mr O Thorne, Mr E A Pitcher, Mr John Taylor, Mr W Parsons, Mr W Yarnold, Mr F Smith, Mr C Cook and Mr Howes.

The bearers were Messrs F Sainsbury, F Tucker, S Phipps, N Nation; W Wall and G H Hall and Messrs Tucker Bros of Thornbury carried out the funeral arrangements.

Beautiful wreathes were sent by Peggy and John; Jack H Williams; Louie and Harry; Phyllis and Leslie, Mrs Harris; Edgar, Leonard, Charlie and Ernest Pitcher; H Berry; Mr and Mrs D I Matthews; F H Greenham; C Williams and L Champion (The Seed supply); Mr and Mrs Fred Church and C E Peters

For more information about John Hodges Williams, click here