An architect who made a major contribution to Wolverhampton golf and cricket clubs over six decades has died aged 71.

Paul Lewis was a popular and hugeley influential figure at Wolverhampton Cricket Club and neighbouring South Staffordshire Golf Club in Tettenhall, reaching the role of president at both.

He died earlier this month after a 10-year fight with prostate cancer.

Friends and fellow cricket club members today said they owed him a huge debt of gratitude after he designed, secured funding for and oversaw the building of a new pavilion costing more than £500,000 in 2007.

Mr Lewis, who leaves wife Mary, daughter Jane and three grandchildren, also designed more than 100 news shops for the Express & Star while  working at his father’s Queen Street-based architect firm, Marcus Brown & Lewis.

A former pupil of Shrewsbury School, he went straight into the family business, staying until his retirement.

He joined Wolverhampton Cricket Club in 1952, playing in the second XI and rising to the rank of chairman and then president.

He served as president from 1997 to 2001 and also had stints as captain, chairman and president of South Staffordshire Golf Club.

He remains the only man to have held the position of president at both clubs.

Cricket club chairman of trustees Don Crofts said: “Paul’s contribution to the club was huge, colossal. The old pavilion was falling to pieces and we desperately needed a new one.

“He got the funding together, he designed it and got it built. It was a one-man show really.”

Mr Crofts said Mr Lewis was a “family man” with “a passion for sport and for organising”.

As well as his involvement with the cricket and golf clubs he was a keen player for Wombourne Hockey Club. He also served on the board of the Wolverhampton Area Health Authority for many years.

Mr Lewis, who lived in Tettenhall virtually all his life, died on March 15.

A memorial service will be held at St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Tettenhall, at 12.15pm on Thursday.