Tributes have been paid to a respected industry manager from the Welsh borderland. The funeral for Bryn Williams, who managed Arriva’s Oswestry Garage for many years, took place on Wednesday (October 28).
Paying tribute, Nick Culliford, Operations Manager at Tanat Valley Coaches told CBW: “Bryn worked here from February 2011 to December 2013. He was 71 and died after a short illness. He started as a driver with Crosville and progressed to Supervisor. Following my departure, he became the local manager for Midland Red then Arriva in Oswestry .
“After he retired, he went driving three days a week on the Wrexham to Chester service for Arriva Buses Wales in Wrexham. Following the introduction of compulsory retirement by Arriva, he joined some of his former colleagues and friends at Tanat Valley, driving there three days a week. He continued to work on a casual basis for a local motor parts distributor after he retired from driving buses.”
Phil Bradley, Operations Supervisor at Tanat Valley told CBW: “Without Bryn, I may not have started in the industry. Just two weeks after my 18th birthday, Bryn took me on at Arriva back in March 2001. I can’t thank him enough for trusting me to start work in the bus industry. Rest easy Bryn –you were one in a million.”
CBW’s Editor Gareth Evans said: “I am forever indebted to Bryn for giving me my first piece of bus industry work experience at Arriva Oswestry. Aged 18, I learned so much in that week. Bryn went out of his way to encourage those who showed an interest and potential in the industry. One of those individuals who had a hugely positive impact on my life, I will always remember him.”
Bryn is survived by his wife, two daughters and several grandchildren.
