Stan Williams was a contemporary of the Beatles who, after retiring, authored Penny Lane is in My Ears and in My Eyes which describes memories and insights into the lives of John Lennon, George Harrison and others as they grew up in Liverpool. He once appeared on the same stage as Lennon when in 1957 he attended skiffle auditions at The Cavern, to be followed on to the stage minutes later by the Black Jacks, featuring Lennon playing the tea-chest bass in a pair of gloves. The Black Jacks were the embryonic Quarrymen who, after many changes, became the Beatles.
Stan was born in Fern Grove, near Lodge Lane, the son of Nellie (née Thomas), an auxiliary nurse, and Arthur, a bus/tram driver. Two sisters had died soon after birth, so Stan was the rather spoilt "young emperor" in the family. After the Luftwaffe bombed their house, they moved to a much grander, double-fronted terrace on Borrowdale Road, near Sefton Park. Stan attended Dovedale County Primary School, Liverpool. Peter Sissons was a classmate, George Harrison was a year behind him, and John Lennon and Jimmy Tarbuck were a year above him. After Dovedale School, Stan attended Toxteth Technical High School, passing A levels in History, Geography and General Studies. He then completed a BA at Liverpool University followed by a Diploma of Education.
Stan began his teaching career at Elgin Academy, Morayshire, Scotland until moving to Earlston on the Scottish border as the country's first Principal Teacher of Modern Studies. In 1975, Stan moved to Fraserburgh Academy as head of the Modern Studies department where he served until retiring in 2001.
Prior to writing Penny Lane is in My Ears and in My Eyes, which was launched in October, 2008, Stan was a writing contributor to the Beatles fan club.