Former Walsall mayor hailed as man of integrity as tributes are paid to him
Tributes have been paid to a former mayor and Freeman of a Black Country borough who was a pillar of the community for decades.
Colin Beilby was a school governor and councillor in Walsall for more than 30 years before his retirement.
The accountant by trade died last weekend at the age of 96 and has been hailed as a man of integrity by his family.
As a Conservative councillor in the Palfrey ward, he had a particular interest in education and was previously a chairman of governors at Joseph Leckie - where he has a teaching block named in his legacy.
His son Malcolm, aged 70, said: "I have had calls from so many people from different persuasions, both political and religious, offering their condolences.
"He loved being on the council, but he would go round to sort out people's problems all the time.
"It wasn't just political matters, he loved politics but at the end of the day he tried to get involved in things where he could make a contribution to society."
Mr Beilby was originally from Yorkshire but moved to the Lanesfield area of Wolverhampton in the 1930s.
He served with the armed forces during the Second World War and was a member of the Normandy Veteran's Association.
The keen cricket fan then moved to Walsall in the 1950s after starting work in the borough, going on to live in both the Delves and Highgate areas of the town.
The father-of-two, who supported Wolves but also followed the results of the Saddlers, worked at Herbert, Pepper & Rudland in the town centre until 1980.
He was first elected as a councillor in 1973, and Malcolm said his father was honoured after serving as Mayor in 2001.
But then he became an honorary Freeman in 2010.
"When he was made a Freeman of the borough, in recognition of the many years services given to the borough, that was probably the moment that pleased him more than any other," his son said.
Mr Beilby, who also leaves behind wife Joan, 92, and daughter Lesley, 62, was also heavily involved with St Gabriel's church in Delves and also with the Walsall South District Scouts. He would raise money for worthy causes including towards Leukaemia Research.
Malcolm said: "He was a person with high integrity, he was also a good negotiator, he would talk to people and see both sides of the fence.
"We are upset, but he has had a good life, and in cricketing terms he had a good innings."
The funeral takes place at St Gabriel's Church, Walstead Road, Delves, on June 23. People are asked to make donations to Joseph Leckie Community Association rather than flowers.
