The funeral has taken place of a well-known local motoring engineer and keen motorsport fan.

Michael James Williams, former Garage Manager at the old Sun Valley poultry plant, has died at the age of 81.

Born in Kington, he also lived in New Radnor and Dinmore before settling in Moreton-on-Lugg.

He worked at Winforton Motors, Vincent Greenhouse and Holmer Road Service Station before the former mechanic and lorry driver became Transport Manager at Excelsior Plastics.

He was a keen motorcyclist, scrambler and like driving ‘jalopies’.

Mr Williams leaves a wife, Grace; two daughters, Catherine and Heather; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mr Williams, described as ‘a giant of a man,’ was diagnosed with cancer some six months ago.

Mick, as he was known, was born in the Queens Head pub in Kington which was owned by his grandparents. He was raised in New Radnor where his parents, Evelyn and Richard, owned a drapery and general store.

While at Winforton Motors he worked on Lotus and Alvis cars and helped prepare hill climb racing cars which he enjoyed test driving on Madley Airfield.

He also loved long distance lorry driving around Britain and Europe.

He had a passion for motorcycles and owned a BSA A10 650. His wife Grace would ride pillion until he added a sidecar.

When daughter Cathy arrived late for her own birth Mick missed it because he was away at a motorbike scrambling. He also loved jalopy racing in a big Ford V8.

His love of motorbikes was passed to his daughter, Heather, who bought a motorbike as soon as she turned 16.

In later life, Mick and Grace renewed their wedding vows, officiated by the captain of the cruise ship.

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