The Paramount Chief of Victoria (Limbe), H.R.H Chief Ferguson Billa Manga Williams has died. He died on Saturday, July 9, at about 11:00 am in his Down Beach Palace.
Born on February 1, 1919, in Victoria (now Limbe), late Manga Williams was the fourth child of his parents: Chief John Manga Williams and his mother, Iteki Ida Williams née Do'o of Bonabile in Bimbia. He was the second child of his mother. He succeeded his father in 1959.
Manga Williams did his secondary and high school education in Nigeria. After graduation, he worked as an administrative clerk in Lagos. He got married there to his first wife, Alberta Adjua Ata Williams née Atkins. He later returned to Cameroon where he worked in Buea, Kumba and Victoria, still as an Administrative Clerk. His wife, who worked as an Accounts Clerk with the CDC, died in 1968.
Owing to his father's failing health, the late Manga Williams took on an early retirement in order to look after him after he fell ill while attending a Chiefs' conference in Bamenda. He died while being ferried to Victoria for medical attention on April 14, 1959.
After his death, his son, Manga Williams, with the understanding of the elder brother, Prince Jesco, took over from the late father, who had ruled for 41 years since 1908.
The late Manga Williams reigned for 46 long years.
Culled from The Post Newspaper
I was in Victoria 1959 - 1960 and founded Cameroons Import & Export Co. Ltd. with main office in building of Chief Manga Wiliams.
In April 1960 I got married in Bota Church to Greta, Norwegian naional, with whom I am stilly very happily married.
One of our wedding guests at the time was the son of Chief Manga Williams.
I would like to get in touch with him, if ossible. Please contact me if you see this.
Posted by: Gustav Mohn | Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 12:15 PM