Vale Phillip Williams

May 31, 1944 to August 26, 2022

Phillip (Phil) Williams was a very special and well respected man among family friends and community.

His was a life filled with joy and love. His many ventures and attributes included as baker, Scout, woodchopper, footballer, hardworking rigger, historian, friend, handy man, contributor to the community, adventurous outdoor man, someone who always said yes if you needed him, believed in a fair go and was a true gentleman. Through all this he was genuinely a happy and wonderful man with a fierce love for his family, which he put first, and patient and caring nature.

Phil was born in in 1944 at the Morwell Hospital to Ina and Lew Williams, one of triplets. The family lived on a farm in Hazelwood Estate and Phil attended Hazelwood Estate School for four happy years, riding his bike. Then a move to a relative’s farm at Driffield saw Phil transferred to Yinnar school, a three mile bike ride.

There were many chores in which the children were involved, including milking the cows, grubbing tussocks and catching rabbits, but also many hours of fun watching platypus, catching crayfish, fishing and hiking.

As a young boy Phil worked for Mr. Dick Meadows in his vegetable gardens. When he left school, he did an apprenticeship as a baker at the Yinnar Bakery and Milkbar, now Cafe 3869.

Joining the Scouts as a cub was the beginning of a long association which culminated in Phil achieving his Queen’s Scout in March 1962 and becoming a leader for Venturers and Rovers.

Phil was a long time member of Young Farmers and had a lot of fun.

Football claimed his time as a player for Yinnar, and later as a trainer when his son was playing and was there to support daughter Sonia with her netball.

Leaving the bakery after many years, Phil was employed in the construction of Hazelwood Power Station. There he obtained many tickets in scaffolding, rigging, asbestos removal, first aid and the search and rescue squad. With all his knowledge and Scouting history, he was involved with many missing persons searches.

One special achievement was holding the record for going up and down the Hazelwood chimneys. A record which can now never be broken. He was very fit.

Phil was one of the founding members of the Yinnar Historical Society putting in many hours of work into the displays and willingly sharing his knowledge of history whether general or local.

Phil met Sandra at her brother’s wedding in 1965. They met again and soon after in 1969 they were married. They built their home in Yinnar and in 1972 Sonia was born. Brian was born in 1977.

Sandra had come from a wood chopping family so Phil had to try it too. It was a sport for him for over 50 years teaching his children how to use the crosscut saw. The family travelled all over Australia to enter competitions at shows and carnivals. He was quite successful and was inducted into the Axeman’s Hall of Fame. He also worked as a handicapper.

Then bowls claimed his time. He loved it and enjoyed being part of the committee. Again he gave his all as was usual with anything he took up. Always along the way he made lots of friends.

The tool shed was a place of many tools and many happy hours of making things.

Before the children were born Phil would go with friends to the High Country in search of gold.

Then some land was purchased on the edge of Yinnar, and cows and his tractor gave the pleasure.

Travelling and camping under canvas made many happy memories as parts of Australia were explored.

Above all else Phil was a special husband, father and grandfather who always had time for each one, and left a fine legacy of contributions and example to follow.

Phil lived an active life and stayed fit until April this year when a series of illnesses finally claimed his life. Phil departed this life pain free and peacefully, as he lay in hospital surrounded by his attentive, loving family.

Phil’s example is such a wonderful one; one which should be noted; one of true values. The world would be a better place if we had more like Phil. Thank you Phil for being the special person you were.