A brother of the famous ‘Traveller King’ has been laid to rest beside what’s touted as Britain’s largest headstone. A funeral procession featuring a fleet of Rolls Royces gave the late Terry Collins a grand send off.
At 52, Terry was buried beside his sibling Willy’s mammoth 37-ton, £200k marble monument following a flashy send-off in Sheffield, South Yorks.
Leading the pack was a gleaming silver Rolls Royce, decked out with neon lights and blasting some of Terry’s most-loved tunes.
St Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church rolled out the red carpet quite literally, as they prepped for the crowd, placing a massive photo of Terry amidst poppies just outside.
The farewell saw Terry’s swanky platinum coffin carried inside while pals donned tees emblazoned with his mug and the words: “RIP Terry Collins ‘The Toucher’.”
(Image: YORKSHIRE LIVE/MEN MEDIA)
Outside, a pair of lorries showcased heart-shaped floral homages, one depicting Terry in his workwear, high-vis and all.
While loved ones congregated at the family grave site, a digital banner cycled through photos of Terry, peppered with poems and personal accolades.
Above, an aircraft sketched a love heart across the sky, marking the occasion. Terry’s chapter closed on September 25, four years onward from the death of Willy, aged 49, who met his end while holidaying in Spain.
(Image: Scott Merrylees / SWNS)
Willy, crowned ‘traveller king of Sheffield’, leaves behind a marble tribute complete with Irish colours and twin statues in his likeness, unveiled only last March 2022.
The estimated cost of the structure is believed to be around £200,000 and it also features depictions of Jesus Christ and biblical scenes.
(Image: Sheffield Star / SWNS)
Sheffield City Council sparked a dispute when they claimed that the structure violated planning laws as it didn’t align with its original plans.
However, his family had previously warned of ‘war’ if the structure was demolished at Shiregreen cemetery in Sheffield, South Yorks.
Terry, who hailed from a large traveller family in Sheffield, is survived by his wife Kathleen and his four sons Martin, Terry, Tom, and Paddy Joe.
He was born just a year apart from his brother, Willy Collins, who tragically passed away at the age of 49 in 2020, after collapsing while on holiday in Majorca, Spain with his family.
(Image: Scott Merrylees / SWNS)
It was reported that Terry was ‘very close’ to Willy, and ‘never got over his death’.
Terry is survived by his wife Kathleen and sons Martin, Terry, Tom, and Paddy Joe, who described him as someone who “always helped everyone and anyone.”
The family stated: “He will be deeply missed by everyone. Terry always helped everyone and anyone.”
Sheffield City Council have not provided any updates on Willy’s grave.