ONE of Glasgow's most famous sons, Sir William Gray, has died.
The former Lord Provost of Glasgow and chairman of Clan FM suffered a suspected heart attack at the weekend.
Educated at Hillhead High and Glasgow University, Sir William became a solicitor from 1958 and received honorary law degrees from Strathclyde and Glasgow Universities. He began his local government career as a Glasgow Corporation councillor for the Yoker ward, which he represented from 1958 to 1975, and went on to serve as city treasurer and convener of the general finance committee.
He was motivated by deep social concerns and between 1966 and 1972 he was chairman of the special housing association. He followed this by taking over the lead role as chairman of Clyde Tourist Association between 1972 and 1975.
The culmination of this period was his role as Lord Provost between 1972 and 1975 - the last Lord Provost before Glasgow Corporation became the district council.
In 1975 he was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant to the Queen and retired from politics. This opened the door to opportunities at Scottish Enterprise and within industry.
Sir William died on Sunday in Glasgow Western Infirmary. According to close friends and colleagues, he began feeling unwell last week. Mr Frank Dougan, a director of Clan FM radio station, said he last spoke to Sir William last Wednesday.
Mr Dougan said: ''He said he was feeling unwell and we could see he was not himself. He was a very loyal and dedicated colleague.''
Current Lord Provost Alex Mosson paid tribute to Sir William. ''He was a hard-working man and a diligent councillor on behalf of his constituents. He served his city with distinction, and on behalf of myself and my wife and the people of Glasgow, we pay tribute to his life and offer our heartfelt best wishes to his wife, Lady Mary, and their two children.''
Harry Diamond, Sir William's flamboyant PR man from the seventies, also remembered his old boss fondly. He said: ''He was a great family man, very sincere and hard working.
''He had a great sense of working for the good of his fellow citizens.''
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