A FORMER Methodist minister has died, aged 64, two years after retirement.

The Reverend John Wesley Williams served as a minister in Barnard Castle, Houghton-le-Spring and Ferryhill, as well as Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Yorkshire, Lanarkshire and Cumbria.

In between church posts he spent ten years as an education welfare officer in Darlington.

Mr Williams, who retired because of ill health, died at his home in Newgate, Barnard Castle.

His wife, Kate, said yesterday: "He had a gift of talking to people and making them feel at ease. Everyone loved him because he was so natural and cheerful without any airs and graces.

"He always took off his dog collar as soon as he came out of church. People will remember him for his sense of humour, caring nature and ability to make everyone feel as ease in difficult circumstances."

Mr Williams was born in Richmond, Yorkshire. As a boy he spent some time in Scotland, where he developed a life-long passion for Glasgow Rangers Football Club.

He also leaves a son, Steven, a daughter, Helen, and two grandsons.

Arrangements for the funeral service at Barnard Castle Methodist Church are not confirmed.