Special night to be held in Bill’s memory (From Worcester News)

Special night to be held in Bill’s memory

5:50pm Thursday 6th December 2012 in News By Neil Watts

A MEMORIAL night will be held in honour of a well-known Romany gipsy who died earlier this year.

William Smith, who was known as Bill, died on Friday, August 3, and his family are now staging a concert at the Marr’s Bar in Pierpont Street, Worcester, on Sunday, from 8pm.

The event is raising funds for St Richard’s Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mr Smith’s daughter, Angie, will be performing a tribute to Patsy Cline, while other acts will sing the tunes of Dean Martin and Neil Diamond.

More than 100 people joined his funeral procession as a horse-drawn carriage carried his coffin from his home in Wyld’s Lane, through the city to St Philip and St James Church in Hallow on Thursday, August 16.

About 20 vehicles took part in the procession, which travelled with a police escort, including six Mercedes limousines and three flat-bed trucks carrying floral tributes adorned with photographs.

More than 150 people said their farewells to the former scrap merchant, who died after an illness aged 84.

Other acts taking part in the memorial include Tom Marr, Johnny Wilson, Peter Jay, Martin Holder and Jerry Jeynes.

Tickets are £4 available on the door, including food.