FAMILY man and factory manager, William John Court, died of natural causes at his home in Warner Beach on April 28. He leaves behind his loving wife Sheila, his two children, Sue Williams and Peter Court, and three granddaughters.

He was born in Mumbles, South Wales. He remembered World War II although he was only eight when it ended. War history emerged as a favourite subject of his in later years.

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His wife and children penned a touching tribute. “After leaving school he took an apprenticeship with a Swansea steelworks as a fitter and turner, all the while studying to become a mechanical engineer. In 1976, after four years in Nigeria, he moved to South Africa with his family to work at AECI in Sasolburg. He became a member of the South African Institute of Mechanical Engineers. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to chief engineer there before taking up a management role at the AECI explosives factory in Modderfontein, Johannesburg. Finally, he settled at AECI’s Umbogintwini factory.”

William and Sheila were married for 63 years. He lived out his twilight years in Warner Beach and during his retirement, did consultancy work with eThekwini Municipality Water and Sanitation for five years. Outside of his work, he enjoyed social games of badminton and golf, and loved to watch rugby and tennis.

William will be greatly missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held on May 17 at 14:00 at St Mary’s Anglican Church. All are welcome.

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