David Hopton Williams (b. 19/06/46) was the youngest of three boys (Roland, Francis and David) born to Mary and Hopton Williams who both worked on the Raglan Estate near Usk - Mary, for the whole of her working life as the cook and Hopton, for the majority of his, primarily as gardener, groundsman and gamekeeper.’
 
Prophetically, the name, Hopton means “ Farmstead worker on an enclosed valley estate”.
 
David’s early years were largely spent playing on the large estate and observing the many practical jobs involved in its running and maintenance. Fitzroy, the late Lord Raglan, childless himself, often took David under his wing and explained what needed to be done on his walkabout inspections of the estate with him.
 
Roland, the oldest brother, lost his sight from an early age and this undoubtedly influenced David’s attitude to both the need to overcome serious obstacles and to help others to do so.
 
David developed an interest in the estate’s machinery and went on to study Agricultural Engineering which gave him his first employment with Peter Lawler Engineering in Chepstow.
 
Most unusually for the time, his mother Mary was a keen racing motorcyclist herself and, following her example, he developed a similar interest. Although he never rode one as a normal means of transport (preferring the comforts of cars and vans instead) he competed as a privateer on them under the sponsorship of Ray Cowles of Pontypool, at a number of racetracks around the UK and in the annual Isle of Man Grand Prix races.
 
Sadly, after holding the circuit record from 1973 in the 350cc class, in 1976 he crashed in the Manx Grand Prix while leading by 2 minutes and was airlifted to the mainland for treatment and repairs but was never able to walk again.
 
Thus a new wheelchair-bound chapter of his life began. Whilst recovering at Rookwood Hospital in Llandaff he fell in love with one of the nurses, Joanne Solomon, and less than 4 years later they were married.
 
David now set about improving his driving skills in the adapted cars (with purely hand-controls) necessary for such disabled drivers. Within two years he was competing and winning awards on very different racetracks.
 
Having been told in 1976 that his life expectancy was approximately 10 years, he defied the odds and for the next 40 years David and Joanne travelled to Canada, USA, all around the UK & Ireland and extensively in Europe - with David always doing the driving! They continued to be loving soulmates to the very end.
 
Eventually, the extent of his injuries caught up with him and in his late 70s his health deteriorated and mobility reduced to a minimal amount.
 
David passed away in the Royal Gwent Hospital on Saturday, 27th June 2026 at the age of 80.
 
He will be lovingly remembered by his widow
Joanne, his family and all his friends.
 
As was written about him in a commendation by the Manx Young Rugby Players :-
 
“…through his great skill and daring showing great courage in the face of adversity, he has won a special place in the hearts and minds of Manxmen”
 
….And, safe to say now, in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him.

His funeral will be at the Crematorium in Cwmbran on Thursday 30 July at 2pm.