Colin Williams

Early life and education Williams was born on 12 August 1952, the son of William Henry Williams and Blanche Williams. He was educated at King George V Grammar School for Boys, Southport, and Pembroke College, Oxford, whence he graduated Bachelor of Arts (BA) 1973 and proceeded Master of Arts (Oxford) (MA Oxon) 1977. He trained as a solicitor at the College of Law, Chester, qualified and practised as a solicitor in Wigan, 1974–1978. He was made a deacon at Petertide 1981 (12 July) and ordained a priest the Petertide following (4 July 1982) – both times by David Sheppard, Bishop of Liverpool, at Liverpool Cathedral. After a curacy at St Paul's Stoneycroft, Liverpool, he was Team Vicar in Walton from 1984 to 1989. He served as domestic chaplain to the Bishop of Blackburn (Alan Chesters) – and Chaplain (lead clergy) of Whalley Abbey retreat and conference centre – from 1989 to 1994. Whilst Vicar of St Chad's Poulton-le-Fylde from 1994 to 1999, based in Geneva. during which time he was made an honorary canon and prebendary of Hereford Cathedral from 2014 onwards. – i.e. the first full-time Archdeacon in the Diocese in Europe from October 2015. Historically, archdeacons in Europe have had other parochial (chaplaincy) duties in addition to their work as archdeacons. He was in charge of both the Eastern archdeaconry and that of Germany and Northern Europe, and he was based in Frankfurt, Germany.

In 2018, it was announced that Williams is to retire effective 31 March 2019.