Pioneer photographer farewelled

mlipen National, Normal

ACCOMPANIED by the hymn ‘Nearer to thee’, the casket of the media industry’s pioneer photographer William Williando slowly made its way down the aisle of the Rev Sione Kami Memorial church where family, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate his life, led by Pr Willie Moses last Friday.
The late Mr Williando passed away on March 21 due to severe meningitis at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
Affectionately known as WW, ww.com or Father Wills, he touched the lives of many as a person and as a professional photographer in the media industry as well as in the political and bureaucratic hierarchy and many others. 
Mr Williando was a humble, gentle and loyal man with the strangest sense of humour and a greatest sense of responsibility.
Many friends and colleagues from Word Publishing, The National, NCDC, Post-Courier and various others who knew him, recalled him as a man who genuinely cared about the media industry, the young generation of reporters and was always an inspiration and a fountain of knowledge on journalism etiquettes on the field.
Former Word Publishing general manager Anna Solomon, recalled Mr Williando as the man from Erave who knew his job and seemed to get away with anything, thanks to his cheeky smile and his ever present “you know what I mean”.
This catchphrase was late Mr Williando’s way of letting one know that he believed and knew that one could do better if one tried hard enough.
Mr Williando was born in Maroroko village, attended its primary school and then Mendi High School. It was at Idubada Technical School (now Port Moresby Technical) where his love for photography and media was born.
From then till his passing, his work in the media spanned the growth of PNG, beginning 1975. Most can be found in the old magazines and newspapers and in homes and offices of companies and individuals.
Old friend from when the media was still in its infant years, media officer at the Attorney-General’s office Cletus Ngaffkin said farewell to his old friend with a song specially composed to mark his passing.
The late Mr Williando, whose wife preceded him in 2006, is survived by four children Kevin, Koke, Rose and Ramu, and three grandchildren Tiami, Anes and William Jnr, and stepson Chris.
He was interred at the 9-Mile cemetery late Friday afternoon.