An elderly couple who "danced their way through life" died just 11 days apart after contracting coronavirus.

Hefin Williams, who grew up in Edern on the Llyn Peninsula, passed away on March 30, followed by his wife Valerie, originally from Merseyside, on April 10.

The couple met in the early 70s when Mr Williams was working as a barman at The Ship Inn in Edern and Mrs Williams was on holiday in the area.

Their children have now paid tribute to the couple who they describe as being "most selfless people you could ever meet."

The couple's second-born daughter, Andrea, said: “They both loved to socialise with friends and dad liked karaoke, they loved to go out for coffee and cake and sit and chat to anyone and everyone.

“Mum and dad spent their whole lives helping others, they were the most selfless people you would ever likely meet.

"They loved their children, six grandchildren and foster children, had time for all their family and friends, they left a lasting impression on everyone they met.

Mr Williams moved in with Valerie and her mother in Huyton, Knowsley, where they got married and had their first daughter Nicola.

The couple then moved to Great Sankey in Warrington when Mr Williams, who was 80 when he died, got a job as a groundsman at Manchester Airport.

They went on to have two more children - Andrea and Marc - before fostering 26 others and later adopting their third daughter, Sarah.

Hefin and Valerie Williams died within days of each other after the contracted coronavirus.
Hefin and Valerie Williams died within days of each other after the contracted coronavirus.

Andrea added: “Their door was always open, mum’s café was never closed, and dad’s taxis was always available, they loved, laughed, sang and danced their way through life!

"We have been left devastated by what has happened, but we would like to thank all of the NHS staff that have played a part in caring for them in their hour of need, the paramedics, nurses, doctors, care workers, porters and to anyone else that assisted.

“We would also like to thank, all our family, friends work colleagues and anyone else that has sent messages of support to us during this time.

Hefin and Valerie Williams.
Hefin and Valerie Williams.

“Our message is a simple one: Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

Mrs Williams, 74, began showing symptoms of the virus on March 12 with a dry cough, a high fever and body aches.

The couple self-isolated but Val, who had no underlying health conditions, became increasingly fatigued and found her chest was getting much worse.

She was admitted to hospital on March 21 and in the early hours of Mother’s Day she was transferred to the intensive care unit and placed on a ventilator.

Mr Williams, who had diabetes, began feeling dizzy and fatigued the following week and was rushed to hospital where he was placed on high-flow oxygen for 24 hours before being moved on to a ventilator

Sadly he suffered multi-organ failure and his treatment was withdrawn on March 29 before he passed away the next day.

Hefin and Valerie Williams with their children - Nicola, Andrea, Marc and Sarah.
Hefin and Valerie Williams with their children - Nicola, Andrea, Marc and Sarah.

At the time of his death is wife remained in a stable condition in intensive care, unaware that her husband had died.

He was cremated on April 9 at Walton Crematorium and the following day the family were given the devastating news that their mum was not going to survive.

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Their son Mark, said: "We could only have immediate family at the funeral, all self-distancing, which was hard because under normal circumstances it would have been standing room only.

“The very next day we received the devastating news about mum.

"As you can imagine we were stunned by the news having only just said goodbye to dad.

“The hardest part of this whole situation is the fact that as a family we could not be together and be there for each other.

Hefin and Valerie Williams died within days of each other after they contracted coronavirus.
Hefin and Valerie Williams died within days of each other after they contracted coronavirus.

“Having to console each other and organise the funeral via FaceTime was heartbreaking for us all.

"Now it is something we will have to go through again but unfortunately we are not the only family going through this."

Their heartbroken family have said that they have taken some comfort knowing that their parents are now together.

Yvonne Pickett, a lifelong family friend, has set up a fundraising page in the couple’s memory, with all proceeds going to the Warrington and Halton NHS Intensive Care Unit with £7,625 having been raised so far.