Frank Williams - Stonemason & Sculptor

Frank Williams was born in Gloucestershire in England, ca1872. At the age of two, he came to Australia with his parents. The family lived in the West Moreton district before settling in Park Street, Ipswich.

Frank attended the West Ipswich State School until he turned 11 and then he went to work in the masonry trade. He was a coronist and he won an Australian coronet solo championship. Frank was a foundation member of: the Ipswich Bowling Club, Ipswich Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Ipswich Vice Regal Band and the Ipswich Concert Orchestra. He was trustee of: the Central Methodist Church, and the P.A.F.S.O.A True Blue Lodge.

In 1901, Frank founded F. Williams and Co, with his brother H. O. Williams, on the corner of Limestone and East Streets. They worked in marble and stones, and often used Helidon sandstone. Frank was also well-known as a sculptor. In 1923 Frank's son Horace entered the business and the business name became F. Williams & Co.

Frank married Georgina Douglass Burgess in February 1898. Their children were:

• Kathleen Macdonald William born on 23 October 1899; married Reginald Walter Lees on 5 April 1922.
• Horace George Cornwall Williams born on 20 May 1901. Died on 5 May 1989.
• Florence Esther born on 17 December 1902. Died on 3 April 1903.
• George born on 24 January 1907;
• Frank Eric born on 21 November 1909. Died 15 June 1971.

Georgina died on 11 June 1942 and was buried on 12 July 1942 in the Methodist New section of the Ipswich General Cemetery. Frank died on 17 January 1947 from a heart attack.

Frank's obituary in the 'Queensland Times' noted that he fell ill while holidaying at Surfers' Paradise. Horace took him to Ipswich, where he was admitted to the Ipswich General Hospital on 12 January 1947.