Willy Collins died suddenly on holiday in Spain during the summer, aged 49, and the father-of-nine’s funeral brought the streets of Sheffield to a standstill in August as members of the travelling community turned out in their droves to pay their last respects.
The massive cortege featured a fleet of Rolls Royces, bikers and vintage cars, and he was laid to rest at Shiregreen Cemetery in a gold-plated coffin in a tiled plot lined with pictures of the Last Supper.
His widow Kathleen has now dressed his final resting place in similarly extravagant fashion for Christmas, complete with a life-size cardboard cut-out, lights and real Christmas trees hung with crowns and personalised baubles, to show how much he is still missed.
Sharing the photos, she said: “He’s all ready for Christmas, my king. Love you my beautiful husband Willy.”
She added: “Really am happy now his grave is done even though it’s left me exhausted. (It’s taken) three days and (there are) still few more bits (that) need doing but he’s worth it.
"All my whole world he is and always will be. I love you very much my Willy, all around the world and back again. Love always your wife Kathleen.”
1. NSST-26-11-20-Willy Collins 3-NMSY-upload.jpg
The final resting place of Willy Collins in Sheffield has been decorated for Christmas by his widow, Kathleen Photo: Kathleen Collins
2. Cardboard cut-out
The shrine to WIlly Collins includes a life-size cardboard cut-out Photo: Kathleen Collins
3. Family photo
A family photo is the centrepiece of the decorations (pic: Kathleen Collins) Photo: Kathleen Collins
4. 'Love you my beautiful husband'
Willy Collins with his wife Kathleen (pic Kathleen Collins) Photo: Kathleen Collins