Huw Williams was born in Cardiff on 12 March 1946. He was educated at Dean Close School, Cheltenham, and at the Welsh National School of Medicine in Cardiff, where he qualified MB BCh in 1969. He trained in Cardiff where he became lecturer and was later Smith and Nephew research fellow in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was a founder member of the School of Postgraduate Studies in Medical Care at the University of Wales. In 1979 he was commissioned a surgeon lieutenant-commander in the Royal Naval Reserve. He was appointed consultant surgeon to Neath General Hospital in 1981. Having been a lecturer in Cardiff, he continued teaching students and postgraduates at Neath. He was a general surgeon of great merit, but it was in urology that he excelled. Huw was always great company and had a cheerful, vibrant personality. This was a great help in his organising capacity, and he played a full part in many medical societies and also in surgical administration in his hospital. He was involved in many research projects and published numerous papers in journals. Huw was devoted to his three children and in latter years, being a single parent, gave up private practice in order to be able to spend the maximum possible time with them. He and his family enjoyed sailing in his boat from Saundersfoot and also fishing. He was an expert skier. Being based in Neath, he supported Neath Rugby Club. His terminal illness - malignant lymphoma - necessitated him having a bone marrow transplant operation, total irradiation, and open heart surgery. He died on 15 January 1995 aged 48, and was survived by his son and two daughters.