Peter Williams

It is with broken hearts that we report the passing away of the Obs long-standing Chairman Pete Williams.

Pete died on Saturday 7th March 2009 after collapsing whilst on his favourite walk, near the Dungeons in Heswall, Wirral, with his devoted wife of 43 years Doreen. There are no words to express Dee’s loss.

In relation to the Obs - he was quite simply the driving force behind Hilbre Bird Observatory for the last thirty plus years with too many achievements on the island to mention here but they include the moving of the Obs to the current building, the building (and re-building again and again) of the three heligoland traps, the construction of the sea-watching hide, the production of the annual report from 1981 to the present day, the training of many birders and lots of ringers – many of whom are now A permit holders throughout the UK and around the world. He has touched the lives of so many.

Not to mention all of the birds he has found, seen and ringed on Hilbre in his 50 years visiting the island.

Whilst he loved birds and all aspects of nature – he was also a people person – he simply loved people and in particular he loved children and their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn which was matched by his own undiminished passion for life right to the end. He lived life at 120mph – and that was not just the speed he returned home from work every Friday night – before heading to his beloved island with his adoring boys.

He has been taken too soon at just 65 – but he lived every minute of every day and we are so proud to have known him so well and to have shared the three loves in life – his family, his friends and his island with everyone at the Obs.

Thanks to everyone for all their support at this difficult time.

“Dad you never did walk alone and you never will”

Chris and Steve Williams

Pete Williams at the opening of the Old Obs in 1962 (third from left)