Members of the racing fraternity turned out in their numbers to pay final respects to the late Hall of Fame trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams at a thanksgiving service for his life at the Sts Peter and Paul Church, Old Hope Road, on Wednesday afternoon.

Williams died in the Andrews Memorial Hospital on Friday, May 29, from pneumonia at age 78. His body will be cremated.

Speaker after speaker paid tribute to the three-time champion trainer whose long and distinguished career spanned more than 50 years.

Among those paying tribute was Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Don Wehby.

Dedicated to horse racing

He recalled that Williams dedicated 50 years of his life to horse racing and accomplished much, noting that he had the distinction of being the only local trainer to saddle the winner of an international race - MIRACLE MAN in the 2006 Confraternity Classic in Puerto Rico.

"He left behind a special mark on horse racing and on behalf of the Government I extend my deepest sympathy to his family," concluded the minister.

Ken Gooden, for whom Williams trained the 1990 Guineas and Derby winner Distinctly Native, read a tribute on behalf of the Jamaica Racing Commission in his capacity as a commissioner, while CTL director Chris Armond, trainer Dalton Sirjue, representing the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association, and Owners' Associa-tion president Lawrence Heffes also spoke glowingly of Williams in tributes.

Family friend Donna Kamicka gave the remembrance, describing Williams as a quiet and unassuming man who shunned the spotlight and loved jazz.

Clever tribute

Heffes, however, best characterised the essence of the man, cleverly stringing together the names of famous horses trained by Williams to end his tribute:

"As we dance to the Drumbeat of the Distinctly Native of our Land, who was always shining like a Legal Light this Derby chasing Buck Chaser. We Thank You Sir Almighty Father for this Miracle Man of Racing, of whom there has been None Such. May his soul rest in peace."

The service was conducted by Chief Celebrant, Father Christopher Llamos SJ, assisted by Deacon Clive Chambers with Mrs C. Studwick-Green on organ. Father Llamos declared:

"Allan, may the angels take you into paradise, may the martyrs come to welcome your way and lead you into the Holy City, Jerusalem, may the choir of angels welcome you, and with Lazarus who once was poor may you have everlasting rest."

Moving rendition

Highlight of the service was a glorious and moving rendition of The Holy City (Jerusalem) by soloist Michael Stephenson.

Among those present were family members and relatives of the late trainer - his son Allan Williams Jr who resides in Florida, Patsy Williams (sister), Peter Williams, Terry Williams, Ida Williams, Jamal Wakeling and Veta Wakeling - along with CTL director Raphael Gordon, Randall Soth, general manager of Caymanas Track Limited, racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr, Trainers' Association president Vin Edwards and wife Monica, TOBA president Howard Hamilton, Jockey Club president Hugh Levy Jr, Farriers Association president Garfield Reid, Welfare Officer Ina Lawrence, Dr Paul Wright, Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany, Kenneth Mattis, Philip Feanny, Dr St Aubyn Bartlett, Dr Sophia Ramial, Henry Jaghai, Ed Barnes, Sylvester Green, Peter John Rhoden, Walter Campbell, Skippy Tennant, Rita McKenzie, Emilio Rodriquez, Maurice and Paulette Rhoden, Richard Azan, Trevor Simpson, David 'Scorcher' McKenzie and Dane Nelson.

- Orville Clarke