Tributes paid to much loved and highly respected former Rhyl Journal chief photographer Terry Williams - one of our own - who always knew how to secure that perfect shot

Terry, 77, a popular and much loved and well-known photographer, died at St David's Hospice in Llandudno on Friday following a battle with cancer.

Terry, described as a true gentleman who always had a twinkle in his eye, was respected highly by his former North Wales Newspapers (NWN) colleagues – taking in papers such as the Evening Leader, Rhyl Prestatyn and Abergele Journal, Denbighshire Free Press, North Wales Pioneer, along with other titles.

Following his retirement, Terry worked for the company, which was acquired by Newquest in 2017, on a freelance basis.

He continue to work up to late last year.

The father and grandad lived in Abergele. He had been a photographer for about 40 years.

He is well remembered by a photograph which sees the former chief reporter up to his waist in water during the Kinmel Bay and Towyn Floods on February 26 1990, which forced thousands from their homes.

A photo was snapped of Terry, beaming out with his trademark smile, with the caption: 'Evening Leader photographer Terry Williams manages to see the funny side."

Elwyn Edwards, former deputy editor, recalls when Terry was taken on as a full-time photographer.

He said: "He was under the wing of Glyn Roberts whose superb experience was quickly absorbed by Terry. It was not long before he was to stamp his own inimitable style on the Journal's photographic output.

"In the year that followed, Terry built up his own reputation in the press and in the manner in which he conducted himself.

"Whether it was royal visits, the bread and butter school visits, news of business features, Terry had the skills to produce an end product that was visually interesting and entertaining.

"What many people do not know is when the Journal was introducing new technology, he already had a degree of computer skills that was to play no mean part in the success of the change.

"Like all good pressmen, Terry had his moments, but it was his endearing qualities as a colleague and, just as importantly as a friend, that I will remember him.

"He was always going to be a hard act to follow, but he was the first to embrace the new generation of young photographers, offering the expertise that made him perhaps, unique."

Terry once worked as a bus driver in the Crosville and even drove one of its vehicles in the film, On the Buses, which was filmed around Prestatyn, Rhuddlan and Rhyl.

Chief photographer for coastal titles Kerry Roberts, a close friend and colleague, who worked alongside Terry for 20 years, said: "He worked for the Journal for more than 30 years.

"We shared a darkroom together when the Evening Leader was launched in 1997.

"He was a real pleasure to be with. Always very professional and he had a great sense of humour.

"He was a real 'whizz' on computers and loved sharing his knowledge and helping others.

"When he retired, he continued to work as a freelancer for us. We remained close friends and met up for coffee most weeks. I am really going to miss him."

Terry Canty, head of news for coastal titles, worked with Terry early on in his career.

He had worked alongside and known Terry for more than 20 years.

He said: "His status for me, starting off in my career, was assured with tales of him braving the Towyn floods, complete with photographic evidence of him up to his waist in water.

"How I will remember him best is when I accompanied him on jobs and saw him in action with his charm, laugh, warmth and wit, breaking ice better than any probing question and always securing a perfect shot from his subject.

"He was a great colleague, whose memory I shall cherish, plus a genuinely nice bloke known by many."

Bob Hewitt started out as a press photographer in 1967 with North Wales Press Agency – covering news and sport in North Wales for the provincial and national newspapers.

He recalls working with Terry.

He said: "My old chief photographer Glyn Roberts left the agency soon afterwards to go and work for the Journal and then later, Terry joined the Journal photographic staff as well.

"We would meet at various assignments and quickly because good friends. Terry's warm, friendly personality and sense of humour meant he was the easiest guy to get along with. He would do anything to help people, nothing was too much trouble.

"Terry was a regular at our house for many years, often dropping in for a cup of team, and staying four hours, chatting into the small hours.

"He loved his photography - it was more than 'a job'. He was inventive and embraced new technology. He took to the computer age and digital camera like a duck to water.

"We covered the Towyn floods together and Terry actually saved me from drowning.

"I was wading through deep water in wellies, carrying a bag full of cameras and lenses – with another camera around my neck – and one of those huge Motorola mobile phone backs over my shoulder. The first mobile phones were huge things with a battery pack.

"I bumped into a discarded and partially submerged wheelbarrow, stumbled and fell backwards. One of the handles wedged itself in the back of my water filled wellies and I was trapped - weighed down by my camera kit, flash unit and that ridiculous phone.

"Soon, it became serious as the water was deeper than I thought, but when Terry stopped laughing, and taking embarrassing photos, he came to my rescue and lifted me out!"

Bob left in 1994 but continued to keep in touch with Terry. He said the last time he saw him was in B&Q car park last Autumn.

Bob added: "He was laughing, full of smiles and his usual self. I had no idea he was ill and he didn't mention it to us.

"He was such a larger than life character, known by everyone. He will be missed but never forgotten."

Andrew Martin, editor of Newsquest North Wales’ coastal titles, said: “Terry will be sadly missed by all his friends and former colleagues at newspapers across the North Wales coast.

“Over the years his pictures played an important role in the newspapers’ success. With his friendly smile and sense of humour, Terry had the special quality that all good photographers have of putting his subjects at ease and capturing the picture which summed up the essence of the occasion.”

Steve Rogers, who edited the Journal and was coastal editor prior to Mr Martin, said: "Terry did not just work for the Journal; he was the Journal.

"Everyone knew him and it was not uncommon for schools to delay the start of an event if they knew Terry from the Journal was on his way. His outstanding photography injected life into the paper every week.

"He was a wonderful colleague...often grumpy, always brilliant. A lot of people are going to miss his smile."

Photographer Phil Micheu, who had known Terry for years, said: "I knew Terry from way back, when he first joined the staff of NWN.

"He learned his craft from that other very good photographer friend of mine Glyn Roberts, who I worked alongside at North Wales Press Agency in the 1960s.

"Terry was always a kind-hearted, considerate guy. It never stopped him from being determined and single-minded when it came to getting the best possible shot he could out of every situation.

"He was the sort of friend you could rely on. He would never refuse to help out a fellow cameraman, who had perhaps run out of film. 'Don't worry, I'll let you have a roll of film, no problem' he'd say.

"A true gent, and a very good friend. I'll miss him dearly."

Tributes continue to flood in across social media.

Earl Pery, who knew Terry through the fire service, said: "In recent years, I met him as a result of both of us being in hospital.

"He came to my aid two years ago when the North Wales photographer was unable to attend the funeral of our former chief constable David Owens's funeral.

"Terry didn't hesitate when I approached him.

"He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. I use to enjoy our coffees on Rhos prom."

Rhyl actor Spencer Wilding posted: "Terry was there from the start with me. You [Terry] were a great big part of my life to create my dreams into reality.

"Thank you mate. Look after us all up there mate and look forward to having a pint up there with you one day.

"No more pain. Rest in peace."