Mayor for the years 1938 – 1939. Alderman 1936 – 1937, 1940 – 1947 (died in office) Died 19th October, 1947
(From The Cumberland Argus, 22nd October, 1947) Alderman William John Irwin died on Sunday, aged 58. (He) was Mayor in 1938 at the time of Parramatta’s 150th anniversary celebrations when the town became a city. An indication of the respect in which fellow-aldermen held Alderman Irwin was the fact that he first became Mayor only 18 months after his election to the council.
During a very successful business career, Alderman Irwin in the 1920’s foresaw the commercial development of Parramatta and was one of the small group who helped materially in this development. He was one of a syndicate which introduced buses to Parramatta. In a tribute … the Mayor … said … “As Mayor and president of the 150th Anniversary Committee in 1938 (he) was the driving force behind much of the wonderful successes of those celebrations ….”
Alderman Irwin had been a member and committeeman of the Parramatta Bowling Club and was formerly actively associated with the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce. Since 1943 he had held the honorary position of Deputy Sheriff at Parramatta Quarter Sessions. There were many mourners at the service at Leigh Memorial Church and at Western Road Cemetery, Parramatta …
William John Irwin