TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known technical sales director at a Bolton firm.

Ray Webster died recently six weeks short of his 100th birthday.

He was born in Leyland in March, 1923 and after spending his early years in Preston, he moved to Bolton in 1938.

Ray went to Canon Slade School and on leaving school, he started work as an apprentice draughtsman at Bolton engineering firm Edbro in 1939.

He worked there for over 40 years, rising to become chief draughtsman and then technical sales director of the company.

Son-in-law Gary Rawlinson said: “He would travel across the world with British Trade missions and also as technical sales director and it would take him to the USA and Australia.

“The hydraulic products he would work on would load items on the back of trucks or onto aeroplanes.

“He was at Edbro all his life and retired in 1980 after being there for 40 years.

“He was a family man and brought up his family in Bolton and they were a sporty family.

“Ray loved to play golf and was a member at Dunscar Golf Club then moved across town to Bolton Golf Club.

“He was very active and loved playing with his grandchildren. He was great father to his children and a great grandfather too and was just a great guy to be with.”

Ray supported Bolton Wanderers throughout his life. Sadly, he always remembered being on the Railway End on the day of the Burnden Park disaster.

Gary said: “When we were going through his possessions we found old autograph books from the 1934-35 season with the Bolton team and also Aston Villa and Preston sides.

“On the Preston was a W Shankly who obviously went on to be one of the best football managers.

“He was always interested in finding out how Bolton were getting on in their matches.”

Gary also added that he had memories watching Bolton.

“He remembered watching Nat Lofthouse and he cherished him as he was a great player.”

Gary added that he was a family-focused man.

He said: “They would go on family holidays in the caravan and would go touring.

“They travelled down with the caravan and went to the Swiss Alps.”

Ray is survived by his former wife, Gladys, and his children, Gill and Peter.