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Lonely pensioner, 75, puts ad out for friends after wife's sudden death

Tony Williams has asked for friends following the sudden death of his wife, Jo. (SWNS)
Tony Williams has asked for friends following the sudden death of his wife, Jo. (SWNS)

A lonely pensioner who was left isolated following the sudden death of his wife has placed a poster in his window asking for friends.

Tony Williams, 75, says he often goes for days without speaking to anyone after his wife Jo, also 75, died in May.

The retired physicist has no children and said he often sits at home willing the phone to ring "but it never does" – and he said he feels "cursed" by loneliness.

With no family nearby, Williams decided to put two adverts in his local newspaper looking for a friend to chat to, but didn't get any replies.

Tony Williams placed a poster in his window to ask for friends. (SWNS)
Tony Williams placed a poster in his window to ask for friends. (SWNS)
Tony Williams met Jo, a legal secretary, in a bar more than 35 years ago. (SWNS)
Tony Williams met Jo, a legal secretary, in a bar more than 35 years ago. (SWNS)

In a bid to find a pal to listen to music with, or sit in the garden alongside, he had business cards made, to hand out when he went to the supermarket or out for a walk.

Chatty Williams handed out dozens without receiving a call back, so has now put a poster up in his window asking for friends as a “last resort”.

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He said: “I’ve tried everything to make friends, but it feels like nobody wants to talk to me.

“Not very many people pass my house, but I was hoping it would spread around the community, and someone might reach out.

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“Jo was my best friend and we had a lovely life. But now I’m all by myself. My wonderful wife has just died, and I have nobody.”

Williams said he is “not looking for someone to listen to me cry”, and just wants a “normal person” he can chat to.

He met Jo, a legal secretary, in a bar more than 35 years ago, and their marriage was "perfect harmony".

Jo Williams died shortly after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. (SWNS)
Jo Williams died shortly after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. (SWNS)

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The couple were unable to have any children, and lived in Kempley, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, for 25 years.

Williams described their relationship as “always so natural”, adding: “We had no secrets and we could be totally open with each other – we really were soul mates.”

Tony's neighbours said they have offered to help him – but he said he's after a friend his own age to pass the time. (SWNS)
Tony's neighbours said they have offered to help him – but he said he's after a friend his own age to pass the time. (SWNS)

They moved to near Alton, East Hampshire, last year so his wife could be closer to her sister, Beryl, 73.

But Jo fell ill, with what turned out to be pancreatic cancer, shortly after they moved to Alton, East Hampshire, last year – and died suddenly in May, just nine days after the diagnosis.

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Williams's neighbours said they have offered to help him – but he said he's after a friend his own age to pass the time.

He added: "I just want a friend, and I hope my sign will find someone for me.”

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