A 75-year-old pensioner whose wife died from cancer during lockdown has appealed for company at his Christmas dinner table. Tony Williams was handing out cards in Alton, Hampshire, UK hoping to make a friend when his first Christmas alone without his “soul mate” Jo approaches. The couple were married for 36 years when Jo tragically died in May, just days after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
A little over a year before Jo’s death, the couple who have no children, who had lived in Gloucestershire for 25 years, moved further south to be closer to Jo’s sister but further away from Tony’s family.
Since Jo’s death, Tony has struggled with loneliness and once said that living in silence is excruciating torture. Although he has two brothers and a sister, none of them live nearby and at their age, they’re too concerned to be near each other with covid.
Tony posted cards on bulletin boards, lampposts and telegraph poles in the Alton area say asking if anyone was on their own for Christmas and whether they’d like to share Christmas dinner with him. “Tony Williams will cook you a sumptuous feast with fine wines to make the mood festive”, it read.
He has been since sent cards from around the world after his story went viral. He has been phoned and emailed from around the world with offers and gestures. He’s even had famous people ringing him with support.
Tony says that he wants someone who’ll be fun and not just sitting around watching him carve up the turkey. His search continues.
Tony’s email is [email protected] and his phone number is 00441420563155
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