Former Smithers Mayor Gordon Williams has passed away.
Just this summer, he was honoured for his years of service in many capacities with the renaming of the Gordon L Williams Rotary Park at Main Street and Highway 16. Generations of Smithereens and generations of the Williams family were at the dedication July 23.
Mayor Taylor Bachrach said the following on Facebook upon hearing the news:
"Council and I are saddened to learn of the passing of former Smithers mayor, entrepreneur and community champion Gordon Williams Sr. He served as Village Commissioner from 1951 to 1966, as Alderman in 1967, and as the Mayor from 1974 to 1975. Gordon was awarded the Freedom of the Municipality in recognition of his many contributions. I always appreciated his stories and generosity of spirit. The flag at town hall will fly at half mast in his memory."
Williams also served in the Second World War as a flight engineer, was owner of Hoskins Ford, involved with the Bulkley Valley Museum, sat on the hospital board, and was a founding charter member of the Rotary Club of Smithers in 1952, according to granddaughter Lauren Williams.
He also helped found the North Central Local Government Association, which held its first meeting as the North Central Municipal Association 62 years ago, serving as its first president.
