Tributes paid to 'Aycliffe legend' and amazing father-of-four from Dover
Published: 14:23, 27 July 2022
Updated: 16:37, 28 July 2022
The family of a 'cheeky' and 'loving' father-of-four and talented football coach have paid tribute to him after his death.
The family of Dover-man David Williams, who was known as Did, want people to remember his great sense of humour following his sudden death yesterday morning aged 39.
Mr Williams was an 'Aycliffe boy through and through' and a well-known coach for several football teams in east Kent.
The Chelsea supporter was working as a handyman for Kent Handyman prior to his devastating death.
He has left behind his four children Chelsea, Tyler, Chloe and Theo, as well as his two step-children Tyler and Iris.
His older sister, Sonia Williams, said life will not be the same without him.
"He was always up for a laugh, always up for banter," she said.
"He was cheeky and a wind up merchant, if he knew he could wind you up he'd wind you up more and more. He was just so funny."
She added that his children were his world, and he was an amazing dad.
"He was everything to me," she said.
"My brother was my life and I just love him so much and I don't want his memory to die. Everyone's got to remember Did.
"My little brother, I love you so much. Life is never going to be the same without you.
“You knew you were always the apple of my eye from the minute you were born. The love I had for you was the strongest love I've ever felt in my life and it’s never going to go away.
“I held you when you were born and I held you when you left. I just wish I could hold you now and bring you back again."
His parents, Liz and Ray Williams, said: “Such a fun-loving son, you will be missed. Love Mum and Dad.”
Mr Williams was a proud Aycliffe boy - a suburb in Dover - and his sister Sonia said they were one big family in the area.
"He was very proud to be an Aycliffe boy - he loved his Aycliffe boys and they all grew up together, they were so close.
"We were just one big family up here, there's so many of us.
"My brother would always say 'Aycliffe til I die'."
A tribute was also paid from Mr Williams' 'Aycliffe brothers'
They said: "Your Aycliffe brothers - Matt and all the Aycliffe boys.
“From all your brothers from another mother.”
Daughter Chelsea, 19, described her father as 'loving dad who would do anything to keep his four children happy'.
She said: "No matter the situation we were in, he always brought us up and made the situation better.
"He always pushed us to do our best and taught us so much.
"The memories we have of him now will forever be kept in our hearts. We all love you, your four kids.”
Chelsea added: "Please if anyone needs someone to talk to, don't bottle yourself up, make sure you talk to someone.
"Mental health is serious, take it day by day and stay strong."
Diane Sawyer, Mr Williams other sister, thanked him for being the best ‘big brother’.
Her tribute said: “To the best big brother a little sister could ask for, thank you for always teaching me even if it was the hard way.
“But most of all, thank you for being you.
“Sleep well our angel, lots of love always and forever, Diane, Clive and Todd.”
Mr Williams was due to get married soon to his fiance Tina Carvill, who said she is lost without him.
She said: "You annoyed me, my king and I will always be your queen.
"You were an amazing dad and the friendship you built with my children was unbreakable.
"I’m lost without you. I love you so much and I’ll see you when we meet again.”
His niece and nephew, Beth and Jack described their uncle as their happy place.
Beth said: “From the day I was born, you loved me loads and I loved him just as much
“You were the best uncle I could have ever picked.
“He was there for me during the hardest time of my life and this is even harder and now he’s not here to make it better
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“He was like my second dad and my happy place.
“We’d always have a joke and I’d always call him an idiot, but he was my idiot. I love him and will miss him forever.”
Jack added: "Thank you for being the best uncle that any nephew could ask for.
“Thank you for always being there for me and supporting me and taking me under your wing.
“Thank you for the good memories, I will love and miss you forever.”
His niece's partner Regan was a fellow Chelsea fan and paid tribute to Mr Williams saying: "Up the Chelsea, love Regan."
As well as a handy man, Mr Williams was a coach to several football teams including Hawkinge Town Youth Football Club and the New Romney Youth Club.
Sonia said: "He did a lot of coaching with children and ran a couple of children’s football teams, he was big on his football and loved Chelsea Football Club.”
Hawkinge Town Youth FC posted on Facebook: “We are so sorry to hear of the very sad passing of Did Williams.
“He was a coach for our youth teams as well as our senior team manager for a short while, he was also a friend to many of us.
“Did, you will be sadly missed, our thoughts are with his family and children.”
New Romney FC said on Twitter: "The club are devastated to hear the passing of Did Williams.
"Did was part of the coaching team that won the Kent county championship.
"We would like to pass on our thoughts to his family and children at this devastating time.
"We hope you're now at peace. RIP Did."
The Duchess pub in Bench Street, Dover, are running a collection for Mr Williams' children.
Annette Page, manager of the pub, said: "He was a very close friend of mine also his children used to all play in my swimming pool with my children growing up in Aycliffe.
"He is an Aycliffe legend that will be missed by a lot of us. It's left a huge hole in our hearts all we can do is ensure his four children are taken care of and keep the memories alive of their fun outgoing lovable dad."
She also wanted to share LADS-Live - a men's mental health support group in Dover.
"It's okay to open up and talk," she said.
"Wayne Morley runs the L.A.D.S charitable organisation from the academy in Ladywell Dover."
Click here to see LADS-Live's Facebook page.
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Chantal Weller