Ayrshire said goodbye to its very own superhero last week.
Mourners had one ‘one last dram’ in memory of Billy Herd as the story of his incredible life was relayed at a packed service near Ayr after he passed away aged 79 last month.
Sandwiched in between warm tributes led by celebrant Victoria Burnham, friends and family raised a glass, cup, flask or bottle as they toasted ‘Oor’ or ‘Wee’ Billy.
A guard of honour greeted the community hero as he arrived at Masonhill Crematorium on Friday, October 8.
Members of Prestwick Howie Bowling club lined up along the road into the crematorium to welcome their three-time club president.
Billy had made his final journey from his home on Grangemuir Court along Prestwick Main Street where residents gathered to pay their respects.
He passed through the same streets where he marched to fight against the closure of Malcolm Sargent House and proudly walked as a Queens Baton bearer ahead of the 2013 Commonwealth Games.
Billy’s incredible fundraising efforts were heard at the service with Victoria describing the charity supremo as an “extraordinary man”, telling the service ,“for such a wee guy he stands head and shoulders above us all,” as she listed his fundraising heroics including a 10,000 ft skydive and a Great Wall of China trek.
The larger than life character even got his own words in with a few jokes, including, “an Ice cream van had just crashed outside my house, the area is covered in cones.”
Billy’s favourite song, Frank Sinatara classic, ‘I’m Gonna Live Till I Die’, was belted out during the service, with 500 miles by the Proclaimers and Abba hit Mamma Mia also nods to Billy's love of music and entertaining people.
Proud nieces Morvern Cameron and Mary Blyth both paid tribute to their uncle with their words read out by the celebrant.
Mary hailed her uncle, who married her aunt and his beloved wife Ann Blyth as an “inspiration in my life,” as she vowed to “continue to live through the legacy you have left behind.”
Morvern told how her uncle Billy was there by her side for 67 years and told how he has left will be remembered for “every good thing he did in this world," after being brought up in a loving home.
Billy’s mark on charities was evident throughout the service with mourners donating money to Whiteleys Retreat at the service.
Victoria also read words from Maxine Allan, CEO of Whiteleys who said he made sure they “laughed every day,”.
Maxine told how the pair adopted one another through their love of charity work and that Billy was a member of the family.
The charity boss told mourners how the legend would often dress up as Malcolm the Monkey, Captain America and Santa Claus.
She added: “His memory will live on forever in our hearts and I will ensure that his name will live on for eternity at Whiteleys.”
When the time came to say goodbye to Billy, Victoria told how he left behind “so many memories and a beautiful legacy of love for your friends and family.”
A poem ‘If I Could Be A Superhero’ was then read out before Victoria added: “Billy was a superhero, he was OUR superhero and the world was a much better and shinier place because of him.”
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