The funeral takes place on Friday of the founding father of Folly Farm Glyndwr Williams who passed away last month.

Mr. Glyndwr George John Williams of Begelly - affectionately known as Glyn passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on February 18, aged 75, following a long illness.

Under Glyn’s watchful eye, popular tourist attraction Folly Farm continued to grow and grow and the culmination of his early vision was realised on January 16 of this year when a critically endangered Eastern black rhino calf was born at the zoo, and named Glyndwr, in recognition.

Born in 1944 in Haverfordwest Glyn’s parents George and Margaret moved to Folly Farm when he was two years of age. He attended Begelly School and then Selwyn House before joining his father on the dairy farm.

Glyn met the love of his life Anne at the Young Farmers Club, Martletwy and they married in 1967. They made their home at the Folly and the arrival of their two daughters Justine and Karina completed the family.

Glyn was always keen to try something new and so it followed that in 1988 they opened Folly Farm as a tourist attraction.

Now in its 32nd year the park has grown immeasurably from those humble beginnings to be one of Wales’ top visitor attractions, attracting 500,000 visitors a year and employing close to 200 people during peak season.

Glyn oversaw many milestones in his time at Folly Farm. It was in 1996 that the very first vintage fairground ride was installed; Glyn’s lifelong passion finally brought to reality.

In 2002 the very first zoo animals were brought to the farm and in 2009 when Wales’ only giraffes were introduced, this marked a significant turning point for the business.

Pembrokeshire and proud, Glyn was fiercely loyal to the surrounding community that had supported him and his business throughout the years. Wherever and whenever possible he would support local groups and charities by offering Folly Farms facilities free of charge for their fundraising events.

Never one to court the limelight, Glyn was very humble about his achievements. However, it was in 2014 at the Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards held at The Wolfscastle Country Hotel that he was awarded the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’ Award in recognition of his achievements.

This, just one of many awards and accolades bestowed upon Folly Farm over the years.

Still very much a family business, Glyn and Anne’s daughter Karina and son-in law Chris Ebsworth are part of the extensive team that are now responsible for the day-to-day running of the attraction.

Outside of Folly Farm, Glyn had a great passion for sports and enjoyed watching rugby, boxing and motor racing.

He loved spending time with his family, friends and colleagues and will be deeply missed by everyone that met him.

Pembrokeshire County Council chairman, Dr Simon Hancock paid tribute, describing Glyn as ‘one of the county’s leading businessmen’.

“His vision and contribution to the tourist industry cannot be overstated, nor can his work in the field of animal conservation,” he said.

Pembrokeshire Tourism’s liaison manager, Dennis O’Connor, said: “The tourism industry in Pembrokeshire has been highly successful and vibrant for many years and today, we not only mourn the loss but pay tribute to one of our industry’s greatest, most respected and humble pioneers.

“Thirty years ago, when tourism as we know it today in the county was in its embryonic stage, dairy farmer Glyn Williams opened the gates of Folly Farm to visitors for the very first time.

“Back then, nobody could have predicted that his insight and vision would lead what has become known as Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo to be one of the most popular family attractions in the UK and that Pembrokeshire’s tourism industry would grow practically overnight because of him and his fellow pioneers in the industry.

“He always supported and invested in Pembrokeshire’s tourism industry in so many different ways, including us as the county’s tourism trade organisation.

“His loss will be felt by everyone - not just in our organisation, but throughout the whole industry and none more so than by his family and the staff at Folly Farm,” he added.

The funeral of Mr. Williams will take place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth today, at 3.15 pm, and following the service the family welcome everyone to join them at Folly Farm for refreshments.

There will be family flowers, with donations, if so desired for Paul Sartori Foundation c/o E. C. Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors.