JPR Williams, one of the greatest rugby players of all time, passed away on January 8, 2024, at 74. He died of bacterial meningitis, a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord, after a short illness.
His family confirmed his passing to the BBC after his former club, Bridgend Ravens, announced it. His wife and four children, who were by his side at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, survived him.
JPR Williams: A Rugby Icon and a Trailblazer
JPR Williams, full name John Peter Rhys Williams, was born in Bridgend, South Wales, in 1949. He was the son of two doctors, a distant cousin of a previous British Prime Minister, and a chief of the Kainai Nation. He was a gifted athlete who excelled in rugby and tennis, winning the British Junior Championship at Wimbledon in 1966.
He picked rugby over tennis since it was an amateur sport at the time, which allowed him to continue his education and medical career. He made his Wales debut against Scotland in 1969 and went on to win 55 caps for his country as a fullback.
He was a major player in Wales’s dominant 1970s squad, which won three Grand Slams and five Triple Crowns. He was also a British and Irish Lions star, appearing in eight Tests and taking part in the successful tours to New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974.
His fearless and adventurous style of play, his characteristic low socks and long sideburns, and his role in Gareth Edwards’ “greatest try ever scored” for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973 made him well-known.
JPR Williams was not only a rugby legend but also a pathfinder who managed to combine his playing career with his work as an orthopedic physician. He specialized in knee and shoulder problems and treated numerous rugby players and athletes.
He was also a philanthropist, contributing to organizations such as the NSPCC and the Mount Kilimanjaro trip. In 1977, he was awarded an MBE, and in 2013, he was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
JPR Williams Cause of Death
JPR Williams, a renowned figure in Welsh and British rugby, died peacefully at the University Hospital of Wales after a valiant battle with bacterial meningitis. Bridgend Ravens, the club where Williams was a significant presence both on and off the field, announced his death, and his family later confirmed it to the BBC.
One of the greatest ever Lions.
A man who inspired so many.
It is with huge sadness to learn that JPR Williams has passed away at the age of 74.
All our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/9hVwe9dlOS
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) January 8, 2024
JPR Williams: A Tribute and a Farewell
JPR Williams’ passing sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from the rugby community and beyond. He has been described as one of the greatest lions of all time, a true football legend, a delight to see, and a gentleman off the field.
Bridgend Ravens have announced the passing of JPR Williams.
Gone but never forgotten. ❤️#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/DkdzBgnvrt
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) January 8, 2024
He will also be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, friend, and coworker who touched many people’s lives with his kindness, generosity, and sense of humor.
JPR Williams’ funeral arrangements have not yet been revealed, but he is likely to be given a suitable send-off by his family, friends, and admirers. All who knew and admired him will mourn him greatly and remember him fondly. He was a one-of-a-kind and extraordinary individual who left a lasting legacy in rugby and beyond. JPR Williams, rest in peace.
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