CANON Gerald Williams, former rector of Willesborough, near Ashford, has died at the age of 88. He will be remembered as a much loved parish priest wherever he served.

As a young man he won a scholarship to Oxford University where he studied history. His first curacy was at Teynham, near Sittingbourne, and later he became vicar of Sturry, near Canterbury.

He came to be rector of Willesborough parish church in 1956, becoming a Canon in 1972 and retired in 1980. He then moved to Ashford and joined the parish church there as an honorary curate. Ill health prevented him from continuing his valuable work last year.

When he entered Ashminster House nursing home, he was taken to Ashford parish church every Sunday as a member of the congregation. And he was at morning service on the day before he died.

Canon John Everitt, vicar of Ashford, paying tribute to Canon Williams' long service to so many people said: "I valued his wisdom. He knew Ashford and everyone knew him."

His funeral will be on Wednesday, September 26, at Ashford Parish Church at 2pm.