A ‘GENEROUS’ historian and author from the Edeyrnion area died recently.

Dennis Wyn Williams, 72, known to several people as ‘Uncle Den’, died on December 28.

Mr Williams was known in the area as a respected author and historian, who had a keen interest in Welsh history.

Bon on January 10, 1947, he was the son of Thomas and Megan Williams and was the youngest of five boys who grew up in Llandrillo.

Mr Williams’ family eventually moved to Corwen and he was accepted into Bala Grammar School, before going on to sign up to the Royal Navy.

He met his partner Pearl at the Llay Youth Club and their eventual wedding took place at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham in 1967.

Three years later, Mr Williams ran a marathon for the British Heart Foundation. He completed it but collapsed at the finish line. This was to be the start of his struggles with a congenital heart condition.

Mr Williams completed an Open University Degree, gaining his BA. It took him six years, as he was in and out of hospital. Wife Pearl said: “Dennis was often up late finalising essays and researching. It was through this he got the bug for reading, researching local history and looking for stories"

Mr Williams went on to write a book about the railways so the stories of men like his father were not forgotten.

Six years of research produced a self-published book dedicated to his father, with all profits going to charity.

He then wrote a second book was about the Celts which is now regarded as an important work on Welsh history and stands out as one of the few that explains this subject in such detail.

Dennis’ third book came about due to a chance meeting with Philip Yorke of Erddig. Whilst out walking their dogs in Erddig Park Dennis and Pearl met Mr Yorke and a friendship developed.

Yorke’s grandfather had collated information about the genealogy and heraldry of the Welsh Princes. It had lain unpublished and was in risk of being lost until Mr Williams was able to publish this work with some updated research.

Peal added: "Dennis lived and breathed Welsh History. He was passionate about the area but most importantly about the people. He was involved with the British Legion, the Cadets, the Youth Club and a great supporter of Corwen Museum, to name a few.

"He looked out for the War Widows, and the children who lived around him, always having the time for a chat or to lend a hand. He had a sense of social conscious that came from watching his father on the Railway and one that made it natural to help anyone. He was generous of heart and his legacy will continue through his family of which he was so proud."