TRIBUTES have been paid to a well known man who will be remembered for his colourful life.

Percy Williams died at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital on July 18 at the age of 86.

He was a former member of the Worcestershire Regiment and a traffic warden who was well known in both Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove.

Born in Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove, Percy became a professional boxer known as "Darkie" Williams and famously fought on the same card as the Turpin brothers.

He had a love of steam trains and fired them for a few years as well.

Popular Percy played his part at Dunkirk and the Normandy landings during the Second World War. He also joined the Royal Military Police during his time in the army.

He could often be seen walking the streets during his time as a postman before he moved to Droitwich and became a traffic warden for Droitwich and Bromsgrove and Rubery.

His partner Sonia Dutton said: "He was very active and we ran keep fit classes together for about ten years.

"He was a man who never forgot his roots. He was down to earth and would call a spade and spade. He was always smart and very much a man's man.

"He had a smile that made you warm to him and always seemed laid back, nothing fazed him."

Later in his life Percy became known for his charity work for Cancer Research UK and famously appeared in the Advertiser/Messenger after taking part in a sky dive on his 70th birthday.

He leaves behind Sonia, his children John, Pauline and the late Raymond, as well as grand children and great grand children.

His funeral service, which will be military based, will be held at Worcester Crematorium this Friday at 2pm. The family have requested that no flowers be sent, but that donations can be made to Cancer Research UK.

by Chris Flavell