HARRY Williams, the last Mayor of St Helens under a borough council, has died in hospital in Devon, aged 91.

Father of five Harry, who lived in Gartons Lane, Sutton, for most of his life, first joined the then St Helens County Borough Council in 1960 as a representative of the West Sutton ward. While there, he served on numerous committees and was chairman of the Amenities (now known as Leisure) Committee.

He was Mayor of St Helens between 1973 and 1974, after which St Helens changed to a Metropolitan Borough under Merseyside and Harry continued to serve on the new council until his retirement in 1978, aged 69. During his time in St Helens, Harry also served as secretary and treasurer of West Sutton Labour Club.

Following his retirement, he and his wife, May moved to Newton Abbott in Devon to be close to their daughter, Rita Mather. Sadly, May died a few years ago and Harry was recently taken into Teignmouth Hospital after suffering a slight stroke. He died there on Friday, January 14.

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