TRIBUTES have poured in for a popular priest who will be “dearly missed” after he passed away earlier this week.

Father William Newton, formerly of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Benfleet died aged 73 surrounded by family at Southend Hospital on Monday.

An outpouring of support on social media saw dozens of residents and parishioners pay their respects to the beloved priest.

South Benfleet resident Kieran Frank, 48, said: “He was such a kind, kind man.

“I will never forget how he treated my family when my dad Geoffrey died.

“He was with us throughout the ordeal offering kindness, compassion and guidance.”

Appleton Conservative councillor Tom Skipp said: “I am very sad to learn of his passing.

“He will be dearly missed by many in the community and was a name that often came up when talking to residents.”

Father Eduard Fartan said: “Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father William Newton, my predecessor at Holy Family Church.

“Father William received the last rites from Father David Prior during the afternoon and died later in the presence of members of his family.”

“May he rest in peace.”

Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, in 1951, Father Newton was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1988 before being appointed as a curate at St Margaret in Leigh.

He then served as Vicar of All Saints, Belhus Park, South Ockendon, from 1992 to 1994.

He was received into the Catholic Church in 1994 and, as a former Anglican clergyman, received a dispensation from Rome to proceed with Holy Orders.

Following his priestly ordination in 1997 he was appointed as priest-in-charge of St Peter, Eastwood, where he lived with his family – his late wife June and his three children from April to October 1997.

In November of that year he was appointed as Priest-in-Charge of Holy Family, Benfleet, with St Thomas More, Hadleigh.

He resigned in June 2009 and subsequently retired to Yorkshire, before moving back to the diocese last year.