Councillor William Stuart Ridley Parry, 71, of Highfield House, Summer Hill, Gainsborough, passed away, on Wednesday, 4th December 2013 at the family home, peacefully.
Mrs. Stephanie Rouse, Chairman of the Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association, said:
"It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of a much-loved friend of the Association. Councillor William Parry had been a very long-standing supporter of the Conservative Party and of the Association, and had been a hard-working member of the West Lindsey team for a long time. William will be greatly missed by all those who knew him, and I personally, will miss the experience and knowledge which he shared with me."
"On behalf of the Association I extend our deepest sympathies to Janet and her family."
William was a shining example of activism for the Conservative Party. He was the Association’s Treasurer (1991-1992), Vice Chairman (1993-1995), Assistant Treasurer (1996-1997), Deputy Chairman (Membership & Fundraising) (1998-2001 & 2009-2012) and Association Chairman (2003-2005). He was a long-standing member of the Gainsborough and District Branch and held numerous posts, finally as both the Branch’s Secretary and Treasurer.
William also served as a Town and District Councillor on Gainsborough Town Council and West Lindsey District Council, respectively. He was first elected as a Conservative in 1998 to the Forrest Ward beating Liberal Democrat and Labour candidates. Subsequently he was re-elected to the Scotter Ward, following boundary changes and an all-out contest, he joined with Conservative colleague, the late, Cllr. Underwood-Frost. Having come second in the poll he had to fight again to represent the people of the Scotter Ward the following year. He was subsequently re-elected in 2004, 2008 and 2011.
Cllr. Parry was ever ready to serve the Conservative Party and on a number of occassions ran for seats on Lincolnshire County Council, most recently in May 2013 as the Conservative Candidate for the Gainsborough Trent Division, which he first contested in 2001. In 1997 he came within 52 votes of taking the Gainsborough East Division seat from the Liberal Democrat Candidate.
Conservative Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Jeff Summers said:
"The news of William's passing was a big shock. Amazingly he continued to represent his electorate to the end.
“William was a pillar of integrity; he was not only a friend but a man which everyone could rely on. He was highly respected throughout his business and career as a councillor. An astute man of few words who was always lovingly supported by his wife Janet and family.
“Our good friend William will be missed enormously for what he was and his unquestionable beliefs. A finer man you will never meet.”
In the 2011-2012 Civic Year he served as Chairman of West Lindsey District Council.
From 2013 he served as Vice-Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee, as a member of the Taxi and General Licensing Sub-Committee and the Housing Appeals Board and on numerous Working and Task & Finish Groups. He represented West Lindsey District Council on:
- The Francis Barker Trust
- The Trustees of the Gainsborough Education Charity
- The Trustees of W G Rose Memorial
- Scunthorpe and Gainsborough Water Level Management Board.
The flag outside West Lindsey District Council’s Guildhall, in Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborugh, is being flown at half-mast until the day of his funeral in recognition of Cllr. Parry's dedicated service to this authority.
William is survived by his widow Janet, whom he married in 1972, and his three children and grandchildren.
Cllr. Parry's funeral will take place at All Saints Parish Church, Chruch Street, Gainsborough DN21 2JR at 11:00am on Monday, 16th December 2013.
