Bhubaneswar Social activist and founder of Integrated Rural Development of Weaker Sections in India (WIDA) in Odisha’s Koraput, William Stanley, passed away in Vellor, Tamil Nadu, on Monday after prolong illness.
According to sources, he was admitted to CMC Vellor on November 19 and later shifted to ICU. He breathed his last at 3.40 pm. He is survived by wife and two children.
Stanley lived a life dedicated to cause of marginalised section of society. He rose to eminence of coordinating policy advocacy and promoting tribal, Dalit leadership and supporting people’s movement across the country. He was instrumental in forging Odisha Development Action Forum (ODAF) and was its executive secretary.
Stanley, who had been staying in Visakhapatnam, recently spearheaded a Peace and Justice campaign and was also founder of Oikotree. His last rites will be held in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday as her his wish, the sources added.
