Colin George Williams
Name: Colin George Williams
Date of Birth: 6 March 1917
Birth Location: Capel, Western Australia
Also Known As: Col
Nickname: Streaker
Age at Burial: 75 Years
Date of Death: 10 November 1992
Death Location: Capel, Western Australia
Date of Burial: 13 November 1992
Denomination: Anglican C
Row/Grave: Row 4 Grave #34
Grave Transcription:
Williams
In Loving Memory of
Dulcie May Colin George
17.8.1929 – 19.7.1992 6.3.1917 – 10.11.1992
Dearly loved mum and dad of
Sandra, Terry, Cheryl, Carlene & David
Father: Frederick David Williams
Mother: Martha Harris
Grandparents (father):
Thomas Williams and Elena Dilley
Grandparents (mother):
Charles Harris and Anna Ellen House
Siblings:
Gladys Bertha Williams Born 1912, Capel. Died 23 April 1924, Capel
Linda Jessie Williams Born 23 February 1915. Died 28 January 1988, Capel
Lorna May Williams Born 1919 Capel. Died 8 Sept 1999, Bunbury
Mavis Joyce Williams Born 1922 Capel. Died 2007, Bunbury.
Clarice Dawn Williams Born 5 Feb 1929. Died 19 Sept 2018, Bunbury
Spouse: Dulcie May Heatley (known as Tim)
Children:
Sandra Kaye Williams. Born 1942
Terrance Colin Williams. Born 1943
Cheryl Anne Williams. Born 1946
Carlene Dawn Williams. Born 1949
David John Williams. Born 1954
Occupation: Mechanic
Military Service: Sergeant Army: WX39758, 5 TH Australian Infantry
Their Story
Colin was born on the 6 March 1917 to parents Frederick (Dave) and Martha Williams in Capel, Western Australia. He was the only son to this couple and had five sisters.
He grew up in the town of Capel and attended the local school along with his sisters and a very large extended family of cousins as both his parents were local to the Capel townsite.
When he was aged 7, his older sister died in the April of 1924, this greatly affected his parents and siblings.
Trove Article – 1925 – In memory of Gladys -link
In March 1926 at the age of 9 years he has an operation to remove his tonsils, which was reported in the South Western Times.
Trove Article – South Western Times 1926 – link
He also helped his parents on their small farm at Capel on Stirling Road by hand milking the cows and picking apricots when in season. This small farm supported the young family while growing up and his mother was very industrious in the kitchen, a love of family feast and sweets that was passed down through Colin’s sisters and family members.
In 1937 at the age of 20 years an article appears in the South Western News, that Colin was underpaid for work done at the Capel Diary Company. He had not been paid adequate overtime, as he had to wait to receive the cream from overdue cream carters. A fine was paid by the company.
Trove Article – South Western Times 1937 – link
Colin then went on the become an apprentice motor mechanic with Gordan Smillie whose garage was in the main street of Capel.
Colin loved his footy and played for Capel as the below article demonstrates when he was 22 years of age
Trove Article – Football 1939 – link
An enjoyment of Badminton seems to be something all the members of the Williams family enjoyed with many siblings mentioned in the paper from time to time.
Trove Article – 1940 Badminton – link
An engagement notice appeared in the West Australian newspaper in June of 1941 to announce the engagement of Mr and Mrs J. W Heatley youngest daughter to Colin only son of F. D Williams of Capel.
Colin married Dulcie Heatley on 6 September 1941 at ST. David’s Church, South Bunbury, by Minister Arnold Fryer and witnessed by Leonard William Gould and Mavis Joyce Williams. Colin was 24 years old and Dulcie was 20 years.
Trove Article – Engagement notice June 1941 – link
Trove Article – Wedding Notice Sept 1941 – link
Colin Enlisted in the Australian Army on the 5 June 1943. At his time both he and Dulcie (Tim) were living in Constitution Street in Bunbury with Dulice’s parents. Colin was able to finish his mechanic apprenticeship with the Army when stationed in Darwin, he did not see active service overseas as the war had ended. By now they had two children together with the addition of Sandra and Terrance.
National Archives of Australia – Record – link
Both Colin and his youngest sister Clarice were involved in the bridal party for their sister Mavis who married Richard Okle in October 1944.
Trove Article – Wedding Notice Okle- Williams – link
Colin was involved in a motorcycle accident in June 1946 along with Lionel House when the motor cycle they were driving from Bunbury to Capel blew a value and threw them both off. They sustained minor injuries
Trove Article – Motor Cycle accident 1946 – link
Dulcie (Tim) and Colin had a house built at 3 Weld Road, Capel by Tim’s Uncle J.G Hough and Son. They moved into the new home when Cheryl their third child was 3 weeks old, in October 1946. The family of five soon settled in and they loved this home so much that they lived there all their life.
Trove Article – Mr and Mrs C Williams – Arrival of Daughter 1946 – link
Colin and Tim were yet to add another two children to this family home when Carlene was born in 1949 and David in 1954
Colin was a very good sportsman who excelled at anything he played be it football, badminton, or bowls. Badminton was extremely popular and took place in the local hall which was sadly burnt down. This hall was the hub on the community.
Colin was also a passionate fisherman whether it be from the beach, boat, or rocks. After a day’s fishing, if successful, he would share with the whole community, his catch. He was known for his generosity.
He started basketball in Capel, and it became extremely popular. The basketball courts were named in his honour. He was a Patron of the organisation and was made a life member.
He was a founding member of the Capel Country Club and a member of the Board. Mentored many and was respected and much loved by all.
Colin and Tim attended so many weddings in Capel and beyond. Col was a very good public speaker and communicator. He was Chairman at over 100 weddings and received a commemorative plaque from the Bride and Groom at his 100TH .
Trove Article – Wedding 1954 – Colin Chairman – link
Trove Article – Arrival of Son 1954 – link
Colin and Tim formed a partnership with Roy and Mary Scott to establish a motor mechanic business and fuel station known as “Williams and Scott”. Next to this was tearooms known as “The Colroy Tearooms”, established in 1960, which was a blending of their names, it still operates under this name today.
The business was also an agency for Wesfarmers. Col would visit farmers and muster up cattle to be sold at the sale yards. Everyone would gather at the “local Pub” for a drink and catch up after the sales. Their house was always open to all and a constant stream of friends visited right up until their passing.
Story told by daughter Carlene Williams.
Additional research by Petrina Prowse (CDCP team member)
Links to other websites and family members with additional information included in story.
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