Obituary: Tony Williamson (B2 1947-55)

Tony Williamson (B2 1947-55), a former Lord Mayor of Oxford and prominent ‘worker priest’ has died aged 85.

Tony was the youngest of three children of Joe Williamson, an Anglican minister, who campaigned in the 1950s in east London to clear slums and open refuges for prostitutes. Tony followed in his father’s footsteps and continued the fight against injustice.

After studying at Trinity College, Oxford, and theological college at Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire, he went on to work at the Pressed Steel car body factory (later part of British Leyland and Rover) in Cowley and became a union leader. He was an active Labour politician, a housing expert on Oxford city council, Oxford council leader and joint leader of Oxfordshire county council. He was lord mayor from 1982-83, whilst continuing to work daily at Pressed Steel.

In 1977 he was appointed OBE.

Tony is survived by his children, Ruth, Paul, Ian, Hugh, and eight grandchildren.

You can read his full obituary on The Guardian website and The Oxford Times.