AN ARCHITECT who was involved with regenerating the old Dolly Blue Works at Backbarrow and designed several well-known buildings in Kendal, has died, aged 84.

Mike Williams started his architectural career in Merseyside, where he formed the Vis Williams partnership with the Dutch brothers, Bing and Kay Vis.

He expanded his work into South Lakeland in 1981 when he took over the responsibility of regenerating the old Dolly Blue Works at Backbarrow, turning the old building into the Whitewater Hotel and adding cottages and apartments in collaboration with two companies, Douglas Construction and Kennings.

The family came to live in South Lakeland in 1986 when Mr Williams bought the near-derelict old water mill at Lupton and converted it into a house where they lived for 30 years.

Work expanded in the Kendal area and he designed the Bridge Mills offices, converting the Sock Factory on the river. He also designed the ASDA supermarket building and a number of smaller projects.

He retired from the partnership in 1993 and then got involved in design work at Giggleswick School. Throughout his career, he was responsible for interior, as well as exterior, design.

Mr Williams was just as enthusiastic about design work for his parish church at Holy Trinity and St George, Kendal, where he was a very active parishioner, running the Oversees Aid group and organising an annual sponsored walk for many years.

The group’s work included supporting the building of a refugee village in Hodova for Bosnian refugees. Mr Williams was also involved in supporting the Cenacolo Project at Dodding Green.

He was a keen sailor and until recently had a boat on Windermere. He and his wife, Esther, enjoyed playing golf and were members of the Windermere and then Carus Green golf clubs.

Mr Williams' love for his family, and his imagination, enthusiasm and creativity, will be missed by his whole family. He is survived by his wife, Esther, five children, 21 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, most of whom live in this area.