Tributes have been paid to former Coleraine mayor William King, who passed away suddenly this week.
At a meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on Tuesday, June 6, Mayor Steven Callaghan said it was his “sad duty” to report Mr King’s passing.
Mr King was mayor of Coleraine between 2006-2007, and also served as a UUP councillor on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and the legacy Coleraine Borough Council.
Ballymoney UUP Councillor Darryl Wilson said that “many members within the chamber will know and fondly remember William”.
He added: “William was a dedicated servant to the people of Bann, a very dedicated councillor. He deeply enjoyed his role and would have been active out in the community. He’s a great loss as a party member to the UUP and a great loss as a friend to us as well.
“I’m sure in the chamber we’ll remember him as a mayor and a councillor but outside those circles he’ll be remembered as a family man. A very sad loss. On behalf of the UUP, I’d like to pass on my deepest condolences to his wife and children and everyone impacted at this sad time.”
Coleraine Alliance Alderman Yvonne Boyle described Mr King as a “very kind man, always very friendly”, adding that she extended sympathies to his family.
Causeway DUP Alderman Mark Fielding similarly remembered Mr King as “a man of a cheery disposition” who was “universally liked across all parties”.
Ald Fielding continued: “He got on well with everyone and was well known in farming circles. He is a great loss to the Bann areas and to the wider Coleraine and agricultural areas so I’d like to express my sympathy to [his wife] Daphne on behalf of the DUP.”
Benbradagh SDLP Alderman Michael Coyle added: “He was always a gentleman and he will be missed. On behalf of the SDLP I wish to send my condolences as well to his family and to the Ulster Unionists.”
Causeway TUV Councillor Allister Kyle and Coleraine PUP Councillor Russell Watton remembered Mr King as a great fan of Coleraine Football Club.
Cllr Kyle said: “Coleraine could be 3-0 up and William would be looking for a wee bit more. He was a perfectionist. We pass on our condolences to Daphne and the family and to the UUP.”
Ballymoney Sinn Fein Councillor Leanne Peacock said that while she “didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Mr King personally”, from speaking to council colleagues she knew “he was well regarded during his time here on the council”.
She said: “I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to our UUP colleagues and to his entire family circle at this time.”
Limavady Sinn Fein Councillor Brenda Chivers added: “I’ve known him for so long. He always came to different receptions with me when I was mayor to give support and I was really grateful for that.”
