Melville Williams

	Barbados' Oldest Living Person Titleholders (V • E)
	James Sisnett • Emily Clarke • Unknown • Millicent Yearwood • Edna Cumberbatch • Melville Williams • Ursula Mayers

	Melville Williams
	; Williams at the age of 111
Birth:	21 February 1910; Lonesome Hill, Saint Peter, Barbados
Death:	21 July 2021; Lonesome Hill, Saint Peter, Barbados
Age:	111 years, 150 days
Country:	BRB
	Unvalidated

Melville Uriah Williams (21 February 1910 – 21 July 2021) was a Barbadian supercentenarian whose age is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). He was the oldest known living person in Barbados according to the Barbados Government Information Service.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Melville Williams was born in Lonesome Hill, Saint Peter, Barbados on 21 February 1910 to Napoleon and Mariah Williams. His father who was also a saddler, was a prominent and prestigious worker at several plantations. Williams came into his craft from a young age, by becoming the protégé of his father’s main assistants, who taught him the intricacies of the craft. He later became his father’s most dexterous worker and was employed at every plantation in St. Lucy, St. Andrew and St. Peter. As an accomplished saddler and entrepreneur, he produced saddles and harnesses to outfit horses for buggies, donkey carts and tralalas, as well as bridles and collars for race horses. He found employment in places as far as New York and Pennsylvania, and in Trinidad for the Police Force, where he was renowned for his skill.

Later life[]

After lengthy employment abroad, Williams returned to Barbados in his later years with the intention of sharing his knowledge and skills by teaching others the art of making saddles and other apparel for horses, to keep the manual art of the trade alive. He has nine children: seven daughters and two sons. In his early centenarians years, he was still making and selling saddles, and was capable of walking places without the aid of a cane. However, on his 107th birthday he mentioned having some increased difficulty walking, but stated that his memory was still sharp. He was also reported to have maintained his full independence at 107, even paying his own bills. His eyesight was also said to be exceptionally good for his age, allowing him to read the daily newspaper without glasses. He continued to walk around his home with the aid of a cane until he was 109, before he finally began using a wheelchair.

During the passage of Hurricane Elsa, William's house lost its roof and he was forced to move out. When the roof was repaired; Williams returned, However, just hours after returning, Williams died in Lonesome Hill, Saint Peter, Barbados, at the age of 111 years, 150 days. He was the 3rd-oldest known person ever from Barbados, behind Millicent Yearwood and James Sisnett.

Gallery[]

References[]

106 and still hearty Nation News, 22 February 2016 ^(Archived)
Just for you, daddy Nation News, 20 June 2016 ^(Archived)
107 and still going ‘strong’ Nation News, 25 February 2017 ^(Archived)
110th birthday mention Facebook Post, 21 February 2020
Melville 111, still riding strong Nation News, 21 February 2021 ^(Archived)
Supercentenarian Williams passes Nation News, 22 July 2021 ^(Archived)