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    A NEATH BAPTIST LEADER
         _______
        William Griffiths, Well Known in the
      Swansea Valley, Passes Away.
         _______
   Cardiff, S. W., Jan. 12.--The death has occurred of
William Griffiths, Queen street, Neath, who was well
known in the Swansea Valley as "William Griffiths the
bookseller," and who has a number of relatives residing
in America.  His interment took place in Llantwit
cemetery, and there was a large attendance at the
funeral, at which Rev. D. W. Hopkins (Bethania)
officiated, assisted by the Revs, Jonah Lewis and T.
Morgan (Skewen), T. Valentine Evans (Clydach), and E.
Parry (Aberdulais).
   Deseased and Mrs. Griffith celebrated their golden
wedding in March, 1918.  He was born at Caer-salem, near
Swansea, and afterward lived for several years at
Clydach on Tawe.  For half a century he was a leader in
Welsh Baptist circles.  He was a ex-president of the
West Glamorgan Baptist Association and treasurer of the
Welsh Baptist Sunday School Union.  He was a deacon of
Bethania Baptist Church, Neatly and a frequent
contributor to Baptist periodicals.
   The deceased is survived by his widow and the
following children:  Rev. W. Hussey Griffiths, A. T. S.
Whitley Bay, Neath; Mat. D. Griffiths, president of the
New Cumberland Coal Co. and the Premier Coal Co., with
offices in the Fulton building, Pittsburgh; Mrs. L. J.
Jones, Canton, O.; John P. Griffiths, chief forester,
Grand Fork, B. C., and Mrs Margaret Black, wife of Rev.
James Black, Point Grey, B. C.
   He has won for himself the affection of the staff and
   admiration of all the medical men that attended him
   in the hospital.  His clean life was, beyond a doubt,
   a factor in extending his days.  His room in the
   hospital was filled with floral tributes that were
   sent from friends from all the cities where he had
   resided and worked, and the Welsh people of Chicago
   were very hospitable and considerate of his people
   during their stay at the hospital. His body was
   brought to the home of his parents at Middlepoint. 
   The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian
   Church on February 10.  The arrangements were in the
   hands of the Rev. T. Jones, of Gomer, assisted by Dr.
   Frantz, of Van Wert; Dr. Gibson, of Delphos, and the
   Rev. R. J. Williams, of Venedocia.  The music was
   furnished by a double quartet from Gomer, under the
   direction of G. W. Williams.  The body was laid to
   rest at the beautiful Tawelfam cemetery of Gomer, the
   villiage where he spent t   Floral tributes were
   received from the American Gorsedd, the John Doran
   Auto Co., the Elks of Wallace and Lima, ladies of
   Gomer and ladies of Leatherwood, the Presbyterian
   Church of Middlepoint and Missionary Society, the
   Aetna Life Insurance Co., Mr. and Mrs. Axel Swan, of
   Cour-de-lene, Idaho; Hiatt, of Lima; Dr. Quigley, of
   Wallace, and Mr. and Mrs. Vall Flint.  He leaves to
   mourn his loss a widow and child, father and mother,
   and four sisters, and a host of warm-hearted friends.

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