The Late Rev. M. Williams. Funeral at Marrabel, The Southern Cross, Adelaide, 10 October 1919, p 15, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167790448:

The remains of the late Rev. M. Williams, of Spalding, who died in the Jamestown Hospital last week, were removed to Marrabel on Thursday, October 2, for interment. Private Mass was said by Fr. Hogan at 9 a.m., and there was a large gathering of priests and laity from all sides at the funeral in the afternoon. The remains were interred in the Marrabel Cemetery alongside those of his late mother. The Right Rev. Mgr. Williams, of Kapunda, officiated at the grave. The following priests also took part:—Very Rev. M. Hourigan (Goodwood), Rev. Frs. Blake, Aylward, Kelly, Denny, Gurry, Ryan, Morrison, Eviston, Maloney, Davis, Hogan, O.P., O'Brien, S.J., McGrath, S.J., and Dr. Prendergast, of the Port Augusta Diocese. The relatives present were:—Six brothers (Edward, James, Thaddeus, John, Ambrose, and Walter), sisters (Mrs. Solomon and Miss Williams), step-brother and sister (Richard and Jane Williams), uncle and aunt (Mr. and. Mrs. John Knightly). Rev. Fr. Murphy, of Yorketown, was unable to attend, being detained by duty. Mgr. Williams expressed the sympathy felt by all with the relatives and friends in the great loss they had sustained, and also with the archdiocese in the loss of Fr. Williams at such an early age.

Dr. Hayden, president of St. Patrick's College, Manly, where Fr. Williams made his ecclesiastical studies with great brilliancy, telegraphed to Fr. P. L. Kelly at Port Lincoln, asking him to convey to the Archbishop and the priests of the archdiocese the sympathy of the professors and students of St. Patrick's Seminary in the loss sustained by Fr. Williams' death. The high respect in which the late priest was held was shown by the very large number of telegrams and letters received at the local presbytery by the Very Rev. Archdeacon Doyle, the messages coming from all parts of the State. The deepest sympathy is extended to the relatives in their sorrow.

An Appreciation
(From Our Spalding Correspondent.)
"He is dead, and we who loved him sit alone, dumb with our great grief." How fitly those words describe the state of feeling existing in the parish of the late Father Williams. When three weeks ago a severe epidemic of influenza broke out here Father Williams, with his always kindly care for his flock, visited his sick people, bringing comfort and consolation into the homes of the afflicted, heedless of contagion. In a few days he was himself stricken down, and when a week later Dr. Aitken deemed it advisable to take the Rev. Father to the Jamestown Hospital grave fears were aroused in the hearts of his devoted parishioners, whose earnest prayers went up beseeching to the Great White Throne that their beloved pastor might be spared to labour among them; but Almighty God willed otherwise, and the pure white soul of the priest went home to its Maker. He laid down his life, even as the first Great High Priest, for his friends. "Greater love than this no man hath."

The late Father Williams possessed a rare, lovable disposition. To know him was to love him. His whole nature radiated happiness, comfort, sympathy, and affection, and in return all hearts were drawn irresistibly to him. He was idolised by his parishioners, and respected by members of other creeds. No man could be his enemy. How we miss his comforting presence, his ever-ready, happy smile! With the sick the late Father Williams spared no pains, and would sit for hours by the bedside of a sick person, consoling them and ministering to them. How vividly we recall that dear voice reading the Act of Consecration when he consecrated this parish to the Sacred Heart a few short months ago. "And when death strikes amongst us we will be resigned, both those who go and those who stay." Alas! death did strike amongst us very soon, striking out our best-beloved one, the one that could least of all be spared. Heavy indeed is the blow; yet, profiting by his teaching, we know it is the Gentle Hand that chastiseth and that the loving eyes of the Redeemer are cast in tender compassion on the bereaved ones of him who was so truly a type of the gentle, loving Master Whom he served. To those nearer and dearer, his own kith and kin, our hearts go out in sympathy. Though so young, Father Williams possessed all those dear, fatherly ways which one always associates with priests very many years his senior. To each of his parishioners his death is a deep and personal grief, and his loss that of a kind and much-loved father and never-failing friend.

The priestly remains were brought through here on the way from Jamestown to their last resting place in the family block at Marrabel. The notice was short, but crowds of devoted people had gathered near the church gate. On seeing the casket containing the mortal remains of their beloved pastor, who had laboured with such zeal among them, his parishioners were unable to control their grief. A witness of the sad scene might indeed have remarked, "See how they loved him." To the archdiocese , this fine young priest is a tremendous loss, scarcely six years ordained.

The late rev. Father celebrated his first Mass at the Convent of the Maternal Heart, Lewisham, December 9, 1913, and his last Mass in St. Augustine's Church, Spalding, on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 16, 1919. "He being dead yet shall live." And though his body is dead his spirit lives among us, and the memory of his beautiful nature and comforting words will ever remain with us. May his pure soul be a bright star to guide us through this life's bleak pilgrimage, that we to whom he has ministered here below, may be in heaven his beautiful and everlasting crown. May his soul rest in peace.

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Fr Frank Cresp, Good and Faithful Servants: Recalling the Spirit of the Deceased Priests of the Diocese of Port Augusta and Port Pirie 1888-2008, 2008, pp 44, 66:
Williams, Maurice Aloysius

Born: 22/6/1883 at Tothill's Creek.
Ordained: 23/11/1913 at St Patrick's, Manly, NSW.
Died: 1/10/1919 while Parish Priest of Spalding. Aged 36.

Studied at Manly NSW; ordained Sydney 8/12/1913.
Died of pneumonia in Jamestown Hospital while Parish Priest of Spalding. Huge funeral procession to Marrabel where he is buried alongside other members of his family. Died: 1/10/1919.

(Reproduced with the approval of Sister Mary Cresp RSM)