Peter Williams

Peter Williams was a head solicitor who appeared from 1970 to 1973 initially, working as a trainee in Stevens & Cooke Solicitors. He left in 1973, and became a successful solicitor. He returned as a regular in 1988. However, he had been recurring since 1966. He made his last regular appearance in 2001, but made recurring appearances right up until 2006. Peter died in 2007. He was played by Peter Armitage for his main appearance, but was played by John Cleese for a flashback in 2018.

Backstory and Junior years
Peter Williams was born in 1933, and was the oldest of two. He lived with his father John Williams (who worked in the Office before Peter's stint) and his father was named Maureen Williams (nee Evans), and he had a younger sister named Stephanie Williams. In 1952, he met Rosemary Williams, who chose him over an upper-class bank manager named Paul Jennings, who also played golf. They got married in 1959. He was best friends with Michael Jury and Jeff Davies, and would frequently go drinking together, which annoyed Rosemary. In 1964, Peter started secretly meeting up with Elisabeth Edwards, not long after finding out that Rosemary was pregnant with a child. In December that year, Rosemary gave birth to a daughter, Leah. In 1967, Rosemary wanted to buy another house, and John found a nice house in Old Street. Peter agreed to buy the house for Rosemary - if she bought him a divorce so he could be with Elisabeth. Rosemary was devastated. However, despite the devastation, Peter and Rosemary remained good friends for life. Rosemary was slightly uncomfortable in 1970 when Peter started work in Stephens & Cooke Solicitors, deciding to turn his life around and become a solicitor. He revealed that he and Elisabeth were now married with a son (Steve. A year later, they also had a daughter named Jessie. Peter left the office in 1973 to become a solicitor, taking over from a Marvin Patton of Patton's solicitors, which his father had also been working as an auctioneer.

Successful solicitor role
Peter joined Patton's solicitors in 1973, taking over from Mr. Patton, changing the name of the office to Patton & Williams Solicitors. He took on his sister, Stephanie, as his accountant, and a woman named Alice as his secretary. In 1977, Elisabeth gave birth to his fourth child, Gary. Peter had to sack Alice in the early 1980s due to her drink problem, taking another two women on. However these left around 1984 due to deciding to start a garden centre. He decided he needed help, and took on Sophie Goodman, who was later diagnosed with MS. In 1986, he was proud when Leah married Simon Carpenter. In 1987, Peter told Leah that he was looking for a secretaries job, which she accepted, joining 1988. However, Stephanie and Eva Tilsley, the receptionist made a complete mess of the accounts, and Peter lost his rag and told Leah to be the accountant. In 1989, he sacked Eva, due to her conning the firm. He then ended up with Stephanie as his secretary, which remained for the rest of his working life. In 1991, Peter was proud when Steve began working at the office. In 1996, he became a proud grandfather when Nicolas was born. In 1997, Peter semi-retired. In 2001, he completely retired, leaving the office after 27 years. He was pleased when his youngest son, Gary, took over from him.

Later years
Sadly, Peter's life took several sad turns following his retirement. In 2002, just one year after his retirement, Peter had to have his right leg amputated due to poor circulation, leaving him wheelchair bound, and unable to visit Nicolas, therefore rarely seeing him. In 2003, his youngest daughter, Jessie, suddenly died after years of suffering from anorexia, aged just 31, just a year after having a son, Leo. Leo became Peter & Elisabeth's responsibility, living at their house. In 2003, Peter was deliberately uninvited to the Christmas party by Steve & Gary due to them wanting to go to the Thomas Howard hotel, which they knew he wouldn't go to. A disgusted Leah refused to go ever again as a result. In 2006, a jealous Nicolas (who falsely believed that Peter liked Leo more than him) stopped going to see Peter, which upset him. In 2007, Peter was proud when both Steve & Gary's partners became pregnant. However, when the babies were nearly due, Peter was suddenly rushed to hospital with an infection. Steve and Gary asked Leah if she was coming. Leah was suffering from anaemia at that point and said she couldn't. This changed Steve & Gary's relationship to Leah forever. Leah went to see Peter when he was dying, with Simon. Two days later, Peter passed away, aged 74. His funeral was attended by every solicitor in the town. Just two weeks later, Nicola, Gary's girlfriend, gave birth to a daughter, Rosie Ivy Williams.

In 2018, Peter returned as an apparition, telling Nicolas to try and save his office from Rik & Chris Danson.

Personality
In his younger days, Peter was a rogue who liked drinking, smoking and gambling. He did all this with his two best friends, Michael Jury and Jeff Davies. He was also a complete idiot, who started seeing 19 year old Elisabeth Edwards, who was 12 years younger than him, despite already being married. However, by 1970, he had settled down, and wanted to make something of himself. He still had manipulative moments however, such as making out that both Leah & Steve were stupid for not understanding exam questions. He also took 6 year old Leah on holiday with him, along with Elisabeth, Steve, Jessie and Stephanie's daughters, Eve & Catherine. Leah wanted to go home after two days, but Peter refused to take her home. Leah refused to go on holiday with him again.

However, Peter became a good father to his children, even Leah. He supported them in working at his office, and became a proud grandfather in later years to Nicolas & Leo. However, it was implied he was more proud of his son's partners becoming pregnant, due to traditional male hierarchy.

From a work point of view, Peter was a well liked and respected solicitor. Even solicitors senior to him would phone up, asking him for advice. When Peter died in 2007, his funeral was attended by all the solicitors in the town.

Family
Mother: Maureen Williams

Father: John Williams

Sister: Stephanie Williams

Spouse: Rosemary Williams (1959-66) & Elisabeth Williams (c.1969-2007)

Sons: Steve Williams & Gary Williams

Daughters: Leah Williams & Jessie Williams

Sons/Daughters in law: Simon Carpenter, Nicola Lamb, & Emma Stevens

Grandsons: Nicolas Williams & Leo Williams

Granddaughters: Brittany Williams, Rosie Williams, Poppy Williams & Katie Williams

Other relations: Eve & Catherine Jenkins (nieces)