But that journey to personal acceptance was not an easy one.

The Port Macquarie author has launched his book The Way Life Is - a Memoir, where he recounts how his at times traumatic childhood had a deep psychological impact on his personality and education.

Mr Williams also explores how he battled with internalised homophobia and the years of self-discovery to accept his identity as gay.

At the age of 52, Tony left his marriage and suffered the anger from his two sons.

Mr Williams, now in his 70s, has called Port Macquarie home for the past three years, after living in Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

Mr Williams grew up in the Colo region of NSW - a location where he developed a love and affinity with the Australian bush.

He was born just after the second world war ended. His father was a prisoner of war for about three years.

Despite being the eldest of eight children, Mr Williams described himself as a loner who didn't have the support of a loving father figure.

Mr Williams said unfortunately generational trauma from the war played a big role in his childhood.

"Dad brought this trauma into the house and he was violent at times, but also unpredictable," he said.

"He could just explode."

Mr Williams said his relationship with his father affected his self esteem and he was bullied throughout primary school and high school.

"I didn't have the confidence in myself so I didn't have the will to fight it off," he said.

He left high school after failing his subjects.

Mr Williams moved to Sydney, completed a TAFE course and managed to secure a job within the Australian Council of Arts.

"It was important for me because I met a lot of people who had degrees and was treated as an equal," he said.

Mr Williams was motivated to go to university to study.

"I didn't start my degree until I was almost 30-years-old," he said.

Mr Williams studied teaching and psychology.

Mr Williams met his wife at the Australian Council of Arts and they had two sons together.

His wife became ill with chronic fatigue syndrome and Mr Williams became her carer.

"She never worked again," he said.

"I was her carer and looked after the children."

Mr Williams made the difficult decision to leave the relationship when their sons completed high school.

Both the sons were initially angry with their father for leaving their mother.

Mr Williams decided he had to be honest with himself about his own identity and what he wanted most out of life.

His eldest son came out as gay about five years before he decided to make the step.

He said his son motivated his own decision.

Mr Williams said it's not uncommon for men and women to identify as gay later on in life.

He took a long time to accept his identity.

Mr Williams said like others he wanted a heterosexual relationship and everything that came with it, including having a family.

"Then I realised it wasn't the complete way to solving the problem (with identity)," he said.

Mr Williams said his internalised homophobia was wanting life to be "normal" or heterosexual, but never being able to achieve it.

"I hated myself for it for a lot of years," he said.

Mr Williams said he enjoys being a part of the community and has joined groups including U3A and a cycling crew.

Most people he says are supportive of who he is but there are others who keep their distance.

Mr Williams believes the Port Macquarie, like many communities, still has a long way to go in embracing diversity.

The Way Life Is - a Memoir has been published and is available at BookFace in Port Central or online.

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