Obituaries 

Obituaries are published here at the request of next-of-kin.

Posted by his brother, David (’47 – ’54)

                                                SLIM WILLIAMSON

Peter G.R.B.R.Williamson, better known as Slim to everyone since he was nicknamed as such by his school pals, collapsed and died suddenly on Sunday 10th May whilst playing cricket for his local and much loved cricket club.

His tragic death brings an all too early end to a lifetime dedicated to his three great passions, his family, his cricket and his work in the drinks industry.

Slim was born in Guildford on 14th February 1950 and spent his school years at Ripley Court (’57-‘64) where he was Head Boy and captain of cricket, and then at Reeds in Cobham, Surrey, where he developed his cricketing passion, ending up as Captain for two seasons. University followed but after a brief spell he decided to change direction and become an actor and applied unsuccessfully to RADA. That Christmas he needed work so applied for the position of Father Christmas at Harvey’s of Guildford, only to be told (for probably the first and only time in his career) that he looked too young for the job. However there was a vacancy in the Wine Department which he took…. and his life was changed forever. He found every aspect of the wine industry utterly fascinating and his specialization in sales provided a perfect outlet for his thespian leanings.

During his long and distinguished career in the drinks industry Slim has worked for several well known Companies including a spell at Deinhard before joining Hedges and Butler in 1970. Here he developed his considerable abilities, ending up as Director of National Accounts before leaving to help set up Paragon Vintners during 1989 and furthering his career there as Sales Director. On leaving Paragon in 2008, he enjoyed a long summer holiday before taking up the chairmanship of Inspirit Brands along with private consultancy work.

His success in his career was mirrored by his success on the cricket pitch At one time Hampshire offered him a contract at £3 a week, an equivalent salary, he often joked, that he never managed to achieve in the drinks industry.

Slim was always totally loyal to his colleagues, customers and brands. In his thirty or so years he sold some of the very best brands from around the world. Over the years his mastery of spin and sleight of hand helped him achieve great success and even bamboozled many a buyer into placing that elusive piece of business into his very safe hands.

Slim’s passion for cricket and his work never diminished, his cunning, imagination and determination, on the pitch as well as in his work, brought him considerable success and satisfaction. He had many close friends in the trade and was responsible for the caring and nurturing of countless young sales people who were fortunate to find themselves working for him.

Slim died exactly as he had jokingly told his family he would like to, playing cricket on a sunny day, near his home in Suffolk.

Above all, he was a devoted family man, and is survived by his loving wife Carol and three children, Lucy, James and William.

It is expected that a celebration of Slim’s life will be held in due course.