education system and overseeing the integration of Bermuda's schools in the 1950s and 1960s, has died. He was 85.

Mr. Williams, who was also a passionate sportsman, was Director of Education from 1956 until 1970, during which time the school system was transformed as the barriers of segregation were abolished and free primary and secondary school education was made available to all.

Mr. Williams was also instrumental in the development of the Hotel College, in 1963, and the Sixth Form Centre, in 1967, which later merged to become the Bermuda College.

"He designed a number of Bermuda's schools and was instrumental in the founding of the Sixth Form Centre which was the precursor to the Bermuda College,'' said former Premier David Saul, who became Permanent Secretary of Education soon after Mr. Williams' retirement.

Mr. Williams served as Principal of the Department of Academic Studies at Bermuda College from 1970 to 1976.

He was also solely responsible for the creation of the minimum standards for Secondary Schools, which saw students across the Island receiving the same level of education, as well as nursery schools in 1968 for pre-school children.

He initiated the student loan scheme which helped many Bermudians to higher education.

"He was an extraordinary man, educator and athlete,'' said former Education Minister Dr. Stanley Ratteray. "He was important in the genesis of what is now the Bermuda College.

"Bermuda College should form part of his legacy to Bermuda.'' Added to the legacy is Mr. Williams' work to add physical education as a regular part of the curriculum in all schools on the Island.

He brought qualified teachers and coaches to the Island, expanded school playing fields and re-organised the inter-school competitions in games and sports to include all schools.

As part of his efforts to bring sports to all the students of Bermuda, Mr.

Williams also organised the first governing body for amateur sports, the Bermuda Amateur Athletic Association (BAAA), of which he was president from 1955 until 1972.

Mr. Williams was solely responsible for the planning of the original National Stadium between 1961 and 1968.

Before becoming a sports administrator, Mr. Williams was an avid athlete himself.

He became a member of the Bermuda Olympic Association in 1949 and later coached the Bermuda Olympic teams in 1952 and 1954.

Mr. Williams represented Bermuda in the Empire Games, later the Commonwealth Games in 1934, when he was a member of the track and field team.

In 1981 Mr. Williams was honoured by the International Olympic Association with the Olympic Bronze Medallion Award for all his support and work with the Association.

The Olympic Bronze Medallion Award has been awarded to only ten other people, one of whom was the Pope.

Mr. Williams also served in the military, retiring from the Bermuda Rifles in 1955 after four years of service with the rank of Captain.

Prior to that he served as a Canadian Army Battle School Instructor.

Mr. Williams is survived by his sons Francis (Tito), Alastair, Christoper and Justin; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Donald James Williams