Tributes paid to former High Sheriff and ‘leading light’ in Berkshire Christina Hill Williams
Hundreds have mourned a former High Sheriff who wholeheartedly dedicated her life to public service.
Christina Bernadette Therese Hill Williams, described as a ‘leading light’ in Berkshire, died on Wednesday, April 9.
More than 400 people attended her funeral at Douai Abbey on Wednesday, April 30, a testament to her strong character and devotion to the many charities she supported.
Christina began her Berkshire career during the 1990s, when she was invited by Lord Lieutenant Sir Philip Wroughton to serve on the advisory committee for the appointment of justices of the peace.
But the peak of her public career was her appointment as High Sheriff of the Royal County from 2009 to 2010.
Christina’s husband Clive Williams, from Upper Basildon, described Christina as “so vibrant, so full of life, so up for any challenge.”
He said: “She was one of life’s doers who was prepared to take on any task and do her best to see it through to a successful conclusion.
“But she achieved this by taking people with her; she never rode rough shod over anyone.”
Christina was born in Essex on May 16, 1952. She was proud of her family history, which she could trace back to the early Saxon kings.
She was a descendant of Henry Smith of Chipping Camden. The Henry Smith charity, one of the wealthiest in the UK, pays for the education of its 16,000 descendants – which included Christina.
But Christina also grew up with tragedy. She lost her older brother Adrian to meningitis and her other brother Martin was severely affected by measles while still in the womb.
Christina read English at Lampeter College, part of the University of Wales. She then moved to Birmingham where she first gained a Master’s degree and then a PhD.
After university, she joined the Keep Britain Tidy Group, where she ended up as director of research.
Clive, then on Berkshire County Council, recalled first seeing Christina at a meeting he was chairing.
He said: “I was waffling away when this deep rather sexy voice said, ‘with respect chairman’, which is the lawyer’s way of saying you are talking rubbish.
“I saw the voice emanated from this young, very attractive lady with auburn hair.
“She proceeded to set me straight and did it in a very pleasant way and did the same for the rest of her life.”
Clive’s first wife Liz died of cancer in 1986. He said meeting Christina gave him a new lease of life, and the pair became soulmates over 37 years.
In 1988, Christina moved in with Clive and his children Becky and Rob at their home in Upper Basildon.
Before long, she became CEO of the School and Group Travel Association.
In her new role, Christina and Clive attended the opening of the Channel Tunnel, where “champagne flowed like water.”
After six years, Christina moved on to become CEO of the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association.
In Berkshire, she joined the Berkshire Health Authority and became a mental health manager at the Priory and Thornford Park.
Christina, always invested in the environment, joined others to form the Berkshire Garden Trust, which helped recreate the historic garden at Watlington House in Reading.
In her role of High Sheriff, Christina tried to accept every invitation from any organisation, attending over 300 functions.
“I often accompanied her and found it interesting how the heads of organisations opened up about the problems they faced,” Clive said.
On one occasion, Christina organised a ‘Beating the Bounds of Berkshire’, which raised £6,000 for Age Concern.
The highlight of the event saw Christina lead a flock of sheep over Caversham Bridge in full Shrieval regalia, joined by Clive dressed in an authentic replica shepherd’s smock, much to the bemusement of passing motorists.
Christina also had a passion for classic cars, literature, dolls and travelling. She visited 76 countries in her lifetime.
She doted on her grandsons George and Henry and her godson Ben and goddaughter Letty and their families.
Clive ended: “She made my family her family. Facing the future without her will be very difficult but her memory will live on, and I am so grateful to have been able to make a new life with such a remarkable person.
“I have also been moved and touched by the many cards and letters I have received from friends.”
Christina has been laid to rest in Pangbourne Hill Cemetery.
Donations in her memory are welcomed at www.abwalker.co.uk for the League of Friends of Reading Hospitals.
