–final resting place prepared at Port Mourant, Berbice
THE late Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Robert Williams will be laid to rest today. The body is expected to be at City Hall from 8:30 hrs to 9:30 hrs this morning for viewing by the public and other interested persons who wish to pay their final respects to Williams. Following the viewing at City Hall, Williams’ body will be moved to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam (Brickdam Cathedral) for a thanksgiving service from 10:00 hrs. The body will then be transported across the Berbice River to Port Mourant, Corentyne, where a final resting place has been prepared. The former deputy mayor is originally from Port Mourant, Berbice.
Robert Williams passed away on Monday, 30 January, at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Caribbean Heart Institute, following an illness that lasted for just about two months. Many persons had hoped that Williams would have recovered from his illness, but those hopes were shattered on the morning of January 30th, 2012.
The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown had opened a book of condolence for the former deputy mayor last week. That book saw several prominent Guyanese personalities, including President Donald Ramotar, opposition political figures and members of Parliament affixing their signatures to indicate their sadness at the passing of Williams.
Yesterday, Keith Burrowes, a close friend of Williams, signed the book of condolence for the late Deputy Mayor.
In his memories of the late deputy mayor, Mr. Burrowes recalled that he had come a long way with Williams. According to Mr. Burrowes, he never forgot the day he visited Williams in his office while Williams was Minister of Fisheries, decades ago.
Burrowes recalled that from his close and personal interaction with Mr. Williams, especially during his stint as Commissioner of the Board of Inquiry into the affairs at City Hall, he has found him to be a professional and a thorough gentleman with laudable principles.
“He was extremely cooperative during the Inquiry and I would not have been able to conclude my report without his support. Mr. Williams had always been willing to provide information and we worked very closely during this Inquiry at City Hall. He was also the lead person I was working with in terms of implementing the recommendations,” he stated.
According to Burrowes, Robert Williams was less confrontational, and was always a pleasant person to work along with. “In fact, I would say he was the most supportive member of the Council, and I could not have completed my work without his input,” Mr. Burrowes said.
He noted that, like everyone else, he was shocked when he heard of the passing of Williams. He described the loss as a tremendous one to the Council, and by extension, the country.
Messrs Burrowes and Williams had also worked together during the days of the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB).
Robert Williams had served Guyana in many capacities, including as government minister, mayor, deputy mayor, and member of the Guyana Elections Commission. He has been hailed as a true son of the soil.