The life of a popular West Cumbrian businessman, Workington Town president and Rotarian has been marked by his friends and family.

Steve Williams, 77, who founded Steve's Paints, died on February 14 at the West Cumberland Hospital.

Hundreds of mourners packed into St Mary's Church, Westfield, Workington, to pay their respects to the businessman on Thursday.

Family friend Mike Burns had been asked to speak at the funeral by Mr Williams.

He said his friend had "a family to be proud of" and he would have been "humbled and pleased" by the turnout.

Speaking about Mr Williams' wife Edith, he said if there was an Oscar for being "caring, loving and dedicated, it would certainly go to Edie".

"We thank you for looking after our great friend."

Mr Burns added that his friend was "well thought of" in local rugby league and would "never miss a game", saying he would be "remembered with the past greats of Workington Rugby League" and was "so much involved in every aspect of the development" of Lowca RL.

Mr Williams, who lived near Winscales, was a former president of Workington Rotary Club, where he was known as 'Captain Steve'.

Mr Burns said, as a businessman, he would be remembered for his "hard work, dedication and customer service", recalling how when his auntie had bought white spirit from Steve's Paints she couldn't open the bottle.

Within 10 minutes of calling Mr Williams, he was knocking on her door to unscrew the bottle for her.

The former Workington Town president, chairman and director had picked the hymns for the service, with the congregation singing 'Praise my Soul the King of Heaven' and 'The Old Rugged Cross'.

Reverend Steve Axtell told mourners Mr Williams was a "loving husband, great dad and doting grandad", who "touched many lives" and was a "colleague and friend to many people".

He said he was a "successful businessman", who helped others, explaining how he had donated paint to Lakes College apprentices.

After the service, Mr Williams was taken to Distington Hall Crematorium, where there was an address by Hubert Donnan. Family and friends then gathered for refreshments at Whitehaven Golf Club.

Mr Williams went to Guard Street School in Workington then worked for kitchen remodeler Superdec before founding Steve's Paints in 1979 and building up Steve’s Ceramic Tiles.

As managing director and chairman of the paint business he guided it to an annual turnover of more than £4 million.

Mr Williams suffered two strokes in 2001, and a year later stepped down from those roles.

Since his second stroke he lost his speech and relied on a scooter to get about.

He leaves behind Edith, children Mandy and Tim, daughter-in-law Alison and grandchildren Ben, Toby, Charlotte and Luca.

Donations in Steve's memory can be made to The West Coast Downs Syndrome Support Group and The Stroke Association via John Sandelands Funeral Directors, Hay Lodge 56a, Main Road, Seaton, Workington, CA14 1HU, 01900 602753.