In addition to the 1979 World Championship, Griffiths received the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982 to finish snooker’s ‘Triple Crown’.
He reached a career-high third on the planet rankings, and in 2007 was made an OBE for his providers to the game.
Griffiths was additionally a much-loved tv commentator and pundit for the BBC.
“I went to see him not so way back,” Williams instructed BBC Sport Wales. “We have been speaking, though I’m undecided he knew who I used to be as a result of he was fairly unhealthy on the time [with dementia].
“However impulsively he jumped up and stated ‘Come on, let’s go to the membership’ the place my boy was enjoying the junior competitors and we ended up strolling to the membership arm in arm….and that was in all probability the final time I noticed him.”
Griffiths’ ultimate match was the primary spherical of the 1997 World Championship, the place he was crushed in a final-frame decider by a 22-year-old Williams who was making his Crucible debut.
“He all the time gave me stick for that, saying I used to be the one which retired him as a result of it was his final match,” Williams added.
“I feel I beat him 10-9 on the black, and he all the time gave me stick, however he was so humorous, dry, you could possibly say something to him, each time you have been out with him you couldn’t cease laughing.
“I’ll simply bear in mind how he helped, not simply me, however each participant. In case you ever wanted recommendation rising up, he was all the time there for everyone and I feel everybody will say the identical factor, I don’t know anyone who would say a foul phrase about him.
“I’ll simply bear in mind all the assistance he gave me over time. I received the world title with him teaching me, that was improbable. He might be sorely missed.
“That’s two Welsh legends we’ve misplaced within the final 12 months with him and Ray Reardon, it’s unhappy instances and there’s not far more you possibly can say.”