Tributes are being paid to former West Clare councillor Bill Chambers who passed away yesterday.
The Fianna Fáil party member served his community for over 38 years having been first elected to Clare County Council in 1985. The Cooraclare native sat as a councillor until he retired in November 2023. He also served as Mayor of Clare in 2016.
Leading the tributes, former council colleague, Cllr Ian Lynch said in a social media post this morning: “Bill was a valued colleague, devoted family man and pillar of the community, adding that Bill exemplified the virtues of discretion and encouragement, always offering support and positive reinforcement.”
Councillor Joe Garrihy said on Facebook: So sorry to learn of the death of former Council Colleague, Chair of West Clare MD, Mayor of Clare Bill Chambers. A true gentleman and loyal colleague, friend but first and foremost a great family man.
Deepest confidences to Bills family friends and community he loved and served so well.”
Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of former Councillor Bill Chambers.
First elected in 1985, Bill gave 38 years of stellar service to this county and I had the privilege of working for 16 of those years alongside him in the Council chamber.”
“Bill was the epitome of a gentleman and was a diligent and hard-working worker on behalf of the constituents he represented over almost four decades of public service. His gentle approach to every dealing he had was emblematic of the man and he had a wonderful ability to cross party lines and cooperate with all those he dealt with.
Bill was extremely proud to be elected as the first citizen of the county when he served as Mayor of Clare in 2016.
Bill leaves a legacy of hard work, honesty, compassion and integrity and his passing will be very strongly felt by all those who knew him. My thoughts are with Bill’s loving wife Marian, his five children and wider family.”