RETIRED educator, Justice of the Peace and Member of Parliament for South Manchester, Arthur Williams Snr was on Friday remembered as a stalwart politician and advisor who committed his life to the upliftment and prosperity of numerous Jamaicans.

Williams Snr passed away on June 14 at the age of 98 years. His service of thanksgiving was held at the University Chapel, Mona.

In remembrance of the man he called ‘dad’ Dr Geoffrey Williams said Williams Snr lived his life like a batsman in the game of cricket.

“This is for several reasons. Firstly, cricket is considered a gentleman’s game and indeed he was a gentleman,” Dr Williams said as he began his recollection of his father’s life.

He added that his father’s attempt of 98 years was somewhat like a cricket score — just two runs short of the coveted century mark.

“In public, Arthur Williams Snr was the statesman, a fair and revered teacher and strict disciplinarian; but at home he was like a big kid,” said Dr Williams. “He played with us as children and later with the grandchildren, as long as school work was done.”

Member of Parliament, Senator Arthur Williams Jnr, elder son of the deceased reflected on the life of his father up to his passing two days before Fathers’ Day and less than two months before his 99th birthday.

“His life was youthful, rounded and well shared,” commented Arthur Williams Jr who added that his father was one of the privileged black, male entrants from Manchester to have been enrolled at Mico Teachers’ College in 1932.

Arthur Williams Jr said that his father was enrolled at a time when many secondary level graduates had to traverse hours to Kingston to sit the entrance exam of which 50 pupils nationwide were selected for teacher training.

Sylvia Forbes-Roberts, a child of the 1940s who affectionately called him ‘Teacher Williams’, recalled living with and receiving lessons from Williams Snr.

“Teacher Williams and his wife opened their door to me and I lived with them for approximately seven years. I would visit my mom; but my home was with teacher. He ensured that I was not wasting time and the love of learning and books have remained with me ’til this day,” she said.

In 1967, 1972 and 1980, Williams Snr was elected Member of Parliament for South Manchester. And in 1993, he was made a life member of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica. It was only fitting then that Lay Magistrate and Custos of Manchester Hon Sally Porteous offered tribute as well.

“Arthur Williams became the first president of the Manchester Chapter in 1985 and served his community and the association with great distinction,” she said

“Arthur was a man completely dedicated to his country. He never failed to put Jamaica first. Good places do not become good places by a stroke of luck. They become good places because people like Arthur Williams come forward and give of their talent, their time and their dedication,” Porteous added.

Grandson, Ronald Young Jnr, who paid tribute on behalf of “the grandchild massive and crew” said he and his fellow siblings and cousins remembered him with “bittersweet moments”. He said the life his grandfather lived was one they idolised and would take pointers from to incorporate in their lives.

In 1935, Williams Snr began his teaching career at Red Hills Elementary School. He later moved on to Crooked River Elementary School then the Main Ridge Elementary School.

In 1936, he became the headmaster of Nonsuch Elementary School, and served that institution for just over six years.

Williams Snr, who was interred at Dovecot Memorial Park in St Catherine, is survived by children, Arthur Jnr, Geoffrey, Maureen and Pansy.