WARM tributes have been paid to a much-loved former teacher at a school in Abergele following his death.
John Emrys Williams died aged 93 in Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan on January 7 following a chest illness.
He taught Welsh at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan, Abergele in the 1960s, 70s and early 80s, where he was affectionately known as “Willy Welsh”, and also served as deputy head.
John is survived by his sister Glenys, sons Gareth and Gwynedd, daughter Sian, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Born in Glan Conwy and attending school in Llanrwst, John was later conscripted into the Royal Air Force (RAF) as part of national service.
He went on to study as a mature student at Coleg Harlech in Gwynedd, before embarking on an esteemed career in education until retiring in the 1990s.
His son, Gareth, celebrated the life of a man who he described as a “loving person”, and who he believes “really changed” Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan for the better.
He said: “He championed the students who didn’t always come top of the class.
“He and the headteacher at the time, Gareth Newman, really changed that school. You could have a mother there with their child in the same class, which was revolutionary at the time.
“He used to go walking, and was good at catching fish. Mainly, he enjoyed travelling with our late mother, Hilary. While they were alive, they travelled to Sri Lanka to see his son who was working there.
“After she died, he went off on his own, and travelled on nearly every railway line in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England.
“When the A55 was bypassing Abergele, the route of the road was going through a badger set, and dad was worried because they were quite scarce animals at the time.
“So, he organised a badger dig, and they managed to relocate a family of badgers. There were all sorts of things he did around nature.”
Gareth also recalled happy memories of summer train trips with his brother and late father, and a holiday to Aberdyfi together, where he learnt much about his family’s history.
He remembered what a lasting impression his father also appeared to make on his pupils, adding that he never forgot them.
Gareth added: “My brother and I used to go on train trips in the summer with him. He took us over to Aberdyfi once, and we had a great time there.
“He had relatives there, so it was a chance to learn about our family history.
“He was a loving person, with an amazing memory. He never forgot an ex-pupil, and would always be happy to see them, and they’d be happy to see him.
“They say you never forget a good teacher, and I think that was the case with dad.”
John’s family have been inundated with cards and thoughtful messages since his death, Gareth added.
He shared a particularly touching message he received from a former pupil of John’s, which read: “He was clearly ahead of this time with his tolerance, empathy and proactive approach.
“He saw the best in every child and enabled them to achieve their potential far better than many more traditional teachers could do.”
Gareth Newman CBE, who was headteacher of Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan from 1980 until 1985, paid tribute to his former colleague and close friend.
He first met John in 1972 when he led a training course in school counselling.
John was selected for the course, Gareth said, for strong belief in the benefits of providing care and support to vulnerable youngsters in school to facilitate their learning and development.
The two would then embark on a friendship that lasted 50 years.
Gareth said: “After the training course, John returned to his work at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan and exhibited all of his skills with a senior pastoral role within the school.
“Despite facing consistent hostility, John stood firm and stuck to his guns. The outcome of John’s commitment is evidenced up to today.
“He is consistently supported by all of those students who benefitted from his love and consideration when at school.
“John, in my opinion, was the most popular teacher ever at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan. Fate finally threw us together again in the 1980s when I was appointed headteacher at Abergele.
“When a deputy headteacher vacancy arose I was proud to appoint John to that vacancy.
“It may not be appreciated but when I took over the school the population was just over 600 and there were discussions that it may close or amalgamate with another school.
“When John and I took charge, the population gradually grew to over 1,300 pupils and the reputation of the school spread nationwide.
“For John, this was vindication for his educational philosophy - every child counts.”
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Gareth added that he and his wife Cosette were always impressed by John’s caring attitude towards both adults and children.
They will always be grateful, he said, for the support and friendship shown to them from John and his late wife, Hilary.
He added: “He was a tremendous father, and his children have inherited the generosity displayed by him and Hilary.
“His love of nature was exceptional, and his exploits to save the badgers who were victims of A55 construction was legendary.
“He was a man of nature. I recollect one evening when he came to my home and Cosette apologised that she was unable to prepare an entree for the meal.
“John disappeared for about 20 minutes and returned with four trout that he had quickly ‘tickled’ in the river just beneath our home!
“John loved the railways, I always recall him declaring that he would love to die on a train. I think he travelled on every railway line in the country and he loved every moment.
“Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of John’s life was on the Sports field. He was renowned to have been the shortest goalkeeper in the Welsh football league but, remarkably, one of the best.
“This sums up John Emrys Williams; he was larger than life, always exceeded expectations, and never abandoned his principles.
“To his dedicated and thankful pupils, he was always known as ‘Willie Welsh’; it was a term of genuine endearment.
“This proud Welshman has dedicated his life to the young people of Abergele, and he will never be forgotten.”
Sue Williams, current headteacher at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan, also added her condolences.
Thought she never worked with John, she had met him on a number of occasions at the start of her career at the school, after he had left.
She said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of John Emrys Williams, former deputy headteacher of Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan.
“John taught at the school during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Affectionately known as ‘Willy Welsh’, he was greatly talented in a range of fields.
“The warmth of the comments I have seen on social media indicate what a kind and thoughtful man he was, and reflect the respect in which he is held, even so many years after his retirement.”
David Ratcliffe, who followed in John’s footsteps as deputy headteacher at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan, recalled his first experience of him; at the school’s sports day in 1973.
He remembered a “great friend” who “touched the lives of so many”.
David said: “The pole vault competition had concluded and John, immaculately dressed in a suit, asked for the bar to be raised to the winning height.
“This we did, and he cleared it first time, showing us all his sporting prowess. He was a keen runner and would lead pupils on long-distance runs.
“Welsh was his subject and those taught by him will remember his passion for the language, as will all of us, as his ‘target language’ was always Welsh - many years before we were all expected to lead in the language.
“John was one of the first school counsellors in Wales. He trained in the late 70s and was a confidant and advisor to vast numbers of pupils, staff and parents until his retirement.
“Out of school, John supported a number of causes, including housing associations and wildlife preservation.
“I will remember him as a great friend, a man we could learn from by observing him working with pupils and parents, a man who truly cared for all those he taught and worked with.
“Always interested in our families, John touched the lives of so many.”
John’s funeral will take place at Eglwys Mynydd Seion, Chapel Street, Abergele, at 11am on Tuesday, January 24.
Donations at the funeral will be in aid of Blind Veterans UK.
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