TRIBUTES have been flooding in for a well-loved photographer and painter with a "passion" for wildlife.
Dave Williams, also known as 'Spennells Pensioner,' has been remembered as a "proud family man" with an "incredible" work ethic.
Mr Williams passed away aged 72 in the earlier hours of Tuesday (April 2), following a battle with lung cancer.
He was an avid wildlife photographer who also "loved" painting in miniature. He ran his business Harvington Miniatures, with his paintings attracting interest from the Royal Family and other buyers all over the world.
He was co-admin of the popular Wildlife of Worcestershire Facebook page and was also known locally for once operating a franchised milk round in the Wribbenhall area of Bewdley.
Paying tribute, his daughter Sally Baker, aged 46, said: "Dave was known far and wide and under many guises. Milk the Dave from his milk round days, small artist from his miniature paintings and as Spennells Pensioner".
"He was an extremely proud family man - determined in all his endeavours and he put his heart and soul into anything he did.
"He always put his family first and worked extremely hard throughout his life to give us everything we wanted.
"He always wanted to make us laugh and particularly loved playing up his granddaughters of whom he was so very proud.
"He always had time for everyone and I think the many comments on Facebook evidence how liked, helpful and friendly he was with everyone he came into contact with".
He had many hobbies including fishing, golf, snooker, bowls, metal detecting, darts, and being a quiz master.
Other Kidderminster residents have shared posts in tribute to Mr Williams on Facebook.
Jason Kernohan, aged 53, co-admin of the Wildlife of Worcestershire group, said: "Dave had a real passion for the wildlife of Spennells area of Kidderminster and loved to share what he saw with others.
"We enjoyed many walks together and became good mates. Dave was soon writing his own blog, Spennells Pensioner, and set up a Facebook group dedicated to the wildlife of Spennells. He was soon inspiring other locals to go out and enjoy the wildlife of that area and even won an award from the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust becoming one of Its Wildlife Heroes for the great work he did promoting Spennells wildlife".
Kidderminster Town Councillor Doug Hine said: "His passion for the local environment and wonderful wildlife and landscape photographs brightened the lives of all".
Stephen Baird-Parker said: "Dave was a great photographer and had a fantastic ability to get his images on the TV weather. A great ambassador for Spennells".
Lorraine Wilcox said: "Dave will be greatly missed and all the beautiful photos he used to share with everyone too".
Trevor Crouch said: "He was an inspiration to me in all aspects of photography, loved meeting up with him around Spennells".
Mr Williams is survived by his wife Pauline, daughter Sally and her husband Ben, and grandchildren Martha and Rosie.
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