The sisters of a Stevenage grandfather who died on Wednesday after a speed boating accident in Wales have paid tribute to a ‘generous family man’ who loved the outdoor life and never took life too seriously.

William Davies – known to most as Billy – was pronounced dead after being pulled from the sea along with another man near Aberystwyth, after an empty speed boat was found circling.

Police, lifeboat and air ambulance crews were called to Aberystwyth Harbour on Wednesday morning at 9.30am after locals had reported seeing an empty 16ft vessel circling in the water.

Billy and another man were found in the water, with both pulled to safety by emergency crews.

Both were rushed to Bronglais Hospital but Billy, who was 64, died from his injuries.

The second man is said to be recovering.

Sisters Susan and Helen Davies told the Comet: “We feel totally shocked.

“He comes from a close knit family where family means family and he was very much a part of it.

“Everybody loved him. He always had a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He was very happy go lucky and he didn’t take anything seriously, but people loved him for it.

“He loved the outdoors and loved living off the land. He was always fishing or hunting rabbits or looking for cockles.

“He really found his home in Aberystwyth as it allowed him to live the outdoor life.

“He was into his cars. You would always find him fixing cars or helping people if they had broken down.”

Billy’s family came from Carmarthen in South Wales but moved to Stevenage when he was a teenager.

One of eight siblings, he went to Collenswood School before joining the army for a year.

Later he worked as a taxi driver and a car mechanic, and for a while in the 1960s worked at Stevenage outdoor market.

He moved to Aberystwyth 10 years ago with his second wife Debbie Davies and worked there as a security guard. He leaves behind five children, 17 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

His 88 year-old mother, Mary Davies, still lives in Stevenage.

Billy’s funeral will take place on Thursday at St Matthew’s Church in Borth, near Aberystwyth.

Flowers are requested from the family only, but donations can be made to the RNLI and the Welsh Air Ambulance.