The South Coast has lost a tireless worker for conservation, an extremely knowledgeable environmentalist and a kind, gentle person who was loved by many.

Allan Williams (73), the provincial coordinator of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Honorary Officers and treasurer of the Mzimkhulu group, died peacefully on November 23 after a long, brave battle against ill health.

He is greatly mourned by so many in conservation circles, to whom his death will be a huge loss, for Allan devoted most of his life to green causes. He was also a gifted mechanic, a respected businessman and a good friend to so many South Coast people.

Allan was born in Johannesburg in 1948 and he grew up there. He often told friends the story of how, as a young teenager he was struck by lightning. Although this left him with severely damaged feet, it never stopped him from rolling up his sleeves and putting in some hard labour in the interests of various conservation projects.

When it came to physical work, Allan always led by example. Many game reserves, including Oribi, Skyline and Mkhuze benefitted from his boundless energy.

He and his wife, Gill, moved to the South Coast in 1970 and have lived here ever since then. Allan, a qualified mechanic, worked for Thanet and Kingfisher Motors for a number of years before starting his own business.

This proved to be a successful move. His workshop was always extremely busy and the workmanship it offered was trusted and respected.

Soon after arriving here, Allan, who always loved nature, joined the Honorary Officers movement.

“Allan was such a dedicated conservationist who, as well as serving the Honorary Officer movement, worked closely with all the Lower South Coast conservancies. He joined as an honorary officer right at the outset of the honorary system.

Last year the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Honorary Officers honoured him with a well-deserved lifetime achievement award, to mark his 46 years of service,” said Anne Skelton, the chairman of the Mzimkhulu group.

She added that he had also studied hard to become a registered wildlife guide as he’d realised this qualification would assist him with the educational side of the conservation work he did. “We as the Mzimkhulu Honorary Officers group will miss him immensely but so will the Honorary Officers Corps as a whole. He served his organisation wholeheartedly,” she added.

According to her, he had a great love for all creatures great and small but reserved a special affection for reptiles, be they snakes, crocodiles or monitors. However, tortoises were his favourites.

His fellow honorary officers have fond memories of him at the annual Lions shows where he took great pleasure introducing young visitors to baby tortoises. He always made sure that the children obeyed his ‘no touching’ rule.

According to his son, Kevin, Allan was a youngster when he caught a huge ringhals with his bare hands.

The skeleton of this record-sized snake is still on display in the Pretoria Museum. His love of animals also involved him with the SPCA Lower South Coast branch, where management, volunteers and members of the society remember him with great affection.

To them he was a friend, an ally and mentor. “Not only did he help our society in many ways but he was always willing to teach and enrich us. We could always rely on him. We will not find his equal,” said a spokesman for the team.

Allan leaves his wife, Gill, his son, Kevin, daughter Kerry, their spouses Shenay and Erica, and four grandchildren.

He was a wonderful grandfather to Jaydin, Camryn, Cody and Bailey, who will greatly miss him – and his regular ice cream treats.

He also leaves an amazing legacy – a greener and better Lower South Coast, thanks to his dedication and care.

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