Former Dudley councillor dies following stroke
A former Dudley councillor has died a few weeks after suffering a stroke.
Tributes have flooded in for Colin Wilson, who stood down in 2014 after ten years as a councillor for Pedmore and Stourbridge East.
Mr Wilson died in the early hours of Tuesday morning, aged 74.
He was a retired civil engineer and became active in politics after John Mayor lost his premiership to Tony Blair.
The Conservative councillor played a key role in Stourbridge MP Margot James's election campaign in 2010 and was a popular man on Dudley Council as chairman of the development control committee and vice chairman of the old Stourbridge Area Committee.
He is survived by wife of 45 years, Helen, son Andrew and two young grandsons, Thomas and James.
Dudley South MP Mike Wood, who until recently held the Pedmore ward seat vacated by the former councillor, said: "Colin was my predecessor on Dudley Council and I know how enormously respected and well-liked he was locally.
"As well as being an outstanding councillor and colleague, Colin was a good friend. I've known him for more than thirty years, since I was at primary school with his son, and it is hard to believe that he will no longer be around for advice, guidance or just a good chat. He will be very sadly missed by us all.
"Thoughts and prayers are, of course, with Helen, Andrew and their family. Colin's faith was always important to him, and I hope that God will give them strength during this very sad and difficult time."
Mr Wilson lived in Pedmore and was involved with charities, the Sebright's Educational Foundation, St Thomas's Community Network and Mary Stevens Hospice, as well as being a Feoffee and governor of Old Swinford Hospital School.
