John Henry Williams

John passed away peacefully in his own home in Courtenay, on May 18th, 2018. He lived a very full and rich life. We are grateful he was able to live on his own terms until his 90th year. Now he is back in his spiritual home, a place of love, reunited with the love of his life, Joyce Williams who predeceased him in 2013.

Born in LLansantffraid Glan Conway, North Wales, John was an extremely proud Welshman. He spoke fluent Welsh and was an accomplished singer. John possessed an extraordinary tenor voice and he was extremely passionate regarding his singing & choir involvement. He sang in the Llansantffraid church choir from childhood well into adulthood. Singing was a family affair as John’s extended Williams family formed the majority of the local church choir!

John’s passion for singing led him to participate in male voice choirs throughout North Wales including competing in Welsh Eistedffod’s. The pinnacle of John’s choral years was singing and performing with the Thousand Male Voice Choir in The Royal Albert Hall in London, United Kingdom.

John sang his last Welsh beautiful song “We’ll Keep A Welcome In The Hillside” at his grandson’s wedding last December. Surely, he is now amongst the angels singing to his heart’s content.

John served as a proud member of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was also a lifelong member of the Royal British Legion & The Canadian Legion. John proudly held the honour of standard flag bearer for the Royal British Legion in Glan Conway & participated annually in the solemn Remembrance Day parades.

John & his wife, Joyce, ran Central Stores the, local village grocery shop in Glan Conway for many years before John commenced a career with the GPO [post office]. They eventually transferred to Chester, United Kingdom for a promotion.

John & Joyce emigrated to Canada in 1988 to reunite with their family and to actively participate in their grandchildren’s lives. John was a great historian engaging with his grandchildren for hours discussing world history, in particular Welsh and British history - a true gift to them all.

John was an active member of The Comox Valley Celtic club. At the time of his death he was actively involved with his friends in compiling a history of the club for donation to the Courtenay museum.

John was a very proud participant in the Just for Joy choir and loved performing including the marvelous skits they dramatized.

John was a long-time member of the Comox Kiwanis club and was repeatedly elected, serving as President over several years. He received the distinguished President’s Award for service.

John was actively involved in serving his church over many years including serving as treasurer.

John will be lovingly remembered by: daughter Vanessa Grieve [Glen]; son Clive Williams [Wendy]; grandsons Johnathan Grieve [Jennifer], Christopher Grieve [Stephanie], and Lewis Williams [Amanda]; granddaughter Stephanie Thomas [Arfon]; and treasured great grandchildren Charlie, Ruby and Harri [North Wales].

Donations to the You Are Not Alone [Y.A.N.A] society or The Comox Valley Hospice Society would be greatly appreciated in John’s memory.

Special thanks to Dr. W. Crowe & Dr. Jack Bryant for their care & compassion & the staff of Courtenay Medical Clinic.

Special thanks to RCMP officer Dave Thorson and Dave Dicks both very caring & compassionate individuals. Also to Piercy’s-Mt.Washington Funeral home, for their compassionate & respectful services.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date in the fall.

We love you forever and always, whether we knew you as Dad, Gramps, John or Mr. Williams. Your life was truly well lived; thank you for sharing so much of it with us.

You are forever missed.