Ray Williams

[Simon Rogers]

I am sorry to report that Ray Williams has died.
He was born on 27th December 1935 and passed away on 9th February 2020.
His funeral took place on 27th February at Mendip Crematorium in Frome, Somerset.
As a schoolboy Ray originally played in Plymouth before studying at Imperial College, London where he also played chess.
After, he was part of a very strong Plessey team in the PDCL. He also played chess in Plymouth during the 1950s before playing for Chichester Chess Club.
At Chichester Chess Club, during his peak, he was a very strong player and captained the A team for many years.
Ray won the club championship no fewer than eight times.
These titles ranged across four decades, the first being in 1976 and the last in 2001.
Ray was also the Sussex Delegate to the ECF for many years.
There is a lengthy and excellent tribute by Steve Smith, Chairman of Chichester Chess Club in the Sussex Chess News 2020 publication on pages 28 and 29.
There is a photograph along with some interesting anecdotes.
RIP