Frank Williams - Stonemason & Sculptor

Frank and his brother H.O. Williams opened a stonemasonry business on the corner of East and Limestone Streets in Ipswich in 1901. After about 5 years H.O. left the business. In order to make up for this loss of labour Frank installed machinery. By 1909 he became the first monumental mason in the Commonwealth to use pneumatic plant for working marble. Then in August 1911 the business was the only one in the Commonwealth to possess modern apparatus for cutting slabs of marble and other stones. 

He worked in marble and stones, and often used Helidon sandstone. He was also well known as a sculptor. 

Apart from making grave headstones, F.Williams & Co. were responsible for many war memorials including: Bundamba,  Toogoolawah, Colinton, Boonah, Booval, Esk, Gatton, One Mile/Leichhardt, the original Western Suburbs memorial at Baines Park, Ipswich Cemetery, Mt Alford, Nundah, Oxley, Warwick and Maroon State School. 

The company also manufactured  marble altar(s) and communion rails for St Mary's Church. This was at a time when such work was usually imported. They produced altars for Warwick Cathedral as well. 

In 1923 Frank's son Horace entered the business and  the business name became F. Williams & Co. 

In later years Frank lived at Dougleen, 67 Thorn Street, Ipswich, which was built in the 1920s. He died in 1947. 

J.H. Wagner & Sons purchased F. Williams & Co. in the 1960s and it then became a subsidiary company. 

In 1980 F. Williams & Co.'s brick building attached to R.T. Edwards Victa Sales & Service shop on the corner of East & Limestone Streets was demolished and the next year a new (second) modern courthouse was opened on the site. This courthouse is now offices.