Leading figures from the WRU have offered their condolences to his family and friends adding that Ray played an active role in the evolution of the modern game through his innovations, ideas and passion for rugby.
Ray Williams was recently honoured with the prestigious Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service as a mark of his positive contribution to the game throughout his lifetime.
In 1967 he changed the way rugby coaching operated when he was appointed as the first fulltime Welsh Rugby Union Coaching Organiser. He introduced an approach to coaching technique based on a scientific approach to the demands of the modern game.
He was appointed secretary of WRU in 1980, a position he carried out with dedication and distinction until 1988. He then became a national representative on the General Committee of the WRU and was also the Union’s representative on IRB Council from 1993-97. He was the Tournament Director of Rugby World Cup 1991.
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: “It is with great sadness we mourn the loss of a man who not only was a fine human being, but a great champion for the game of rugby football.
“He was known throughout the world of rugby and won the friendship and admiration of many through his sound good sense and incredible knowledge about our game.
“He influenced and inspired several generations through his passion and commitment so there will be countless followers of our sport who owe their love of the game to Ray.
“It was always a pleasure to welcome Ray to the Millennium Stadium on international days as a friend and a wonderful rugby companion.
“He always remained a modern and innovative thinker whose views and influence on the game of rugby will be missed by us all.”
The WRU Chairman, Gareth Davies, said: “I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to Ray’s family and friends at this extremely sad time for us all.
“I knew Ray throughout my rugby life and personally owe him a debt of gratitude for the positive influence he had on my own career through his summer rugby courses. I will miss his inspirational and knowledgeable insights into the game, its development and its future.
“He played a leading role in shaping the game of rugby, not just in Wales but far beyond and his family can be rightly proud of his contribution.
“Ray was also a lovely man and we will all miss his incredible passion for the game. It was always a pleasure to meet him and talk rugby.”
WRU President Dennis Gethin said: “I am deeply saddened by the death of Ray Williams and want to send my heartfelt sympathies to his family and all his many friends.
“Ray was a lifelong friend of mine and I am therefore fully aware of his incredible understanding and insight into rugby.
“In 1998 when I was appointed secretary of the WRU he often contacted me with useful advice and was always available to me if I had any queries.
“He truly made an enormous difference to how Welsh rugby has evolved across recent decades and the sport owes much to his devotion and intelligent appraisal of rugby.
“Ray Williams took his ideas to the world and the world came to Wales to listen and to learn from him. People from far and wide came under his influence and his ideas contributed to the way the modern game has developed over the past four decades.
“We should all hold fast the memory of Ray for his unfailing service to the game over such a long period of time.”
