Hundreds turn out for funeral of Wally Ashcroft

Wally, a former Conservative councillor for Windle, who served at the town hall for 12 years and also as a parish councillor for 23 years, passed away on May 5 aged 84.

READ MORE > Touching tributes to 'legendary personality' Wally Ashcroft

Also well known for his time as owner of Pet’s Emporium, Wally leaves behind wife Nancy and three children Duncan, Lisa and David and five grandchildren.

Wally's passing led to a flurry of tributes and the United Reformed Church on King Street was packed out on Tuesday afternoon for his funeral.

Wally Ashcroft

Wally, a former Cowley pupil, trained as a photographer after his National Service before opening pet shops Sutton Corn Store and Pet's Emporium.

He also loved sport and played at Liverpool St Helens rugby union club and was more recently president at Windle Bowling Club.

The funeral service heard many anecdotes from Wally's life and a touching reading from wife Nancy.

Welcoming the congregation, Reverend Bill Fraser, said: "We are here to celebrate Wally's life.

"It was a full life where he used the time given to him to serve and benefit others."

Rev Fraser added: "He was a people's person but he was a family man who loved nothing better than to be surrounded by his family."

Wally's funeral hearse

Friend Ray French, shared stories of Wally's "escapades" including practical jokes and tricks he played.

These included a time when they were due to do a raffle at Liverpool St Helens rugby club but the tickets blew away when Wally and others went to help a woman stuck on the car park. Undeterred, Wally improvised and made the numbers up as they pretended to pull raffle tickets out.

Another time on a trip to Harrogate saw Wally decide to move one of the group's Mini cars into the hotel foyer overnight, offering the explanation to the hotel manager: "well it was raining outside".

Ray added: "This was Wally, these were the sort of things that kept you alive and with him.

"My wonderful times and escapades with Wally will be remembered."

Wife Nancy read the Prayer of St Francis of Assissi and an emotional reading written by Wally to her and his friends.

This said: "Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you.

"Whatever we were to each other that we are still."

It added: "What is death but a negative accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, just around the corner.

"All is well, nothing is past, nothing is lost, just a brief time until it will be as it was before."

Following the service, a burial took place at St Helens Cemetery, with a wake at Liverpool St Helens rugby club on Moss Lane afterwards.