Sadnessoverpassingofatruegentleman
THE special place Billy Power had in the hearts of the people of Horeswood, his colleagues and everyone who was lucky enough to meet him was reflected in the huge shock and sadness that greeted his passing at the young age of 49 in April, following a courageous battle with cancer.
A family man who adored his wife and children, Billy died on April 6th at his home in Poulmaloe, Whitechurch, near to where he grew up.
The son of Stephen and Julie Power (née Kavanagh), Billy had a happy childhood growing up in his home place at Ballyedock, Campile, alongside his siblings: Johnny, Catherine, Tom, Stevie, Mary and Martin.
From a young age Billy loved the outdoors especially being around horses, a love his father, Stephen, passed on to him. Throughout his life Billy owned and cared for several horses. His last horse sold only weeks before his passing was poignantly named ‘On my way Julie’.
He attended Horeswood NS and Ramsgrange CS. Following school Billy, who always had a great appreciation and fondness for the outdoors and animals received his Green Cert at Kildalton College. Indeed, there is no doubt he would have loved to have been a farmer, like his parents before him. Billy, however like many of his generation, decided to go into construction, setting up a business with his brother Stevie.
Billy is fondly remembered for his strawberry fields providing summer employment for many local teenagers, including one employee who would later become the love of his life: Muriel Byrne from nearby Ballybrazil. It was years later, while out in Duncannon one night, he met her again through his sister Mary and soon-to-be sister-inlaw Georgina. They were married in 2006 in Horeswood church and had three children: Stephen (11), John (10) and Julie (7).
When the recession hit Billy ended up branching out on his own. He travelled to various counties throughout Ireland wherever the work took him, often leaving at 5 a.m., arriving home at 8 p.m. Despite his illness, Billy never missed a day’s work, working throughout his many treatments. Billy’s weekends were precious to him and he loved to spend the time with Muriel and the children.
As Muriel said: ‘Billy’s favourite place was outdoors. He was kept busy tending to his vegetable tunnel and his small herd of cattle, if he could live outside, he would have.’
Hard working and a wonderful provider for his family, there simply weren’t enough hours in the day for Billy. He would help anyone in need and do anything for anyone at the drop of a hat. He often got calls from people in the locality and would be over with his teleporter.
A man who loved the craic, he was known for his tomfoolery and sense of humour. He enjoyed music, U2 especially, and travelled to see the band play many a time.
Everywhere Billy went he made friends and it was those friends, his neighbours and family, who were first to write messages of condolence on RIP. ie and to contact and reach out to Muriel and the family upon hearing of Billy’s sudden death, only a few days after he took ill at home.
Billy loved his community and attended every funeral he could. It was ironic that so few could attend his funeral – which was the first in the parish during the Covid-19 crisis.
As Muriel said: ‘So many people were devastated that they couldn’t attend. Around 2,000 watched it live.’
Cruelly, the diagnosis of his illness, aged 42, came the same week he welcomed Julie into the world, Billy fought his illness, never complaining. When he and Muriel reached the five year mark, they thought they had it beaten, but the cancer had spread.
Despite being so sick, Billy never looked it. He continued to grow his business and was known as the go-to person because of his expertise with steel. As Muriel said: ‘He never complained throughout his illness and was never downbeat.’
His wish was to be at home when he died and even though he never fully accepted that the illness could take him, it came to pass that he died at home surrounded by the people who mattered most to him.
While home he got to see his parents and to laugh, smile and enjoy quality time with Muriel, Stephen, John and Julie.
At his funeral his friends and neighbours lined the roads all the way from Poulmaloe to Horeswood. ‘It was surreal but it meant an awful lot to us. Even his school friends were on the roads. They were all so shocked and saddened,’ Muriel said.
His sister Mary read a poem at Horeswood Church, called ‘Dear Friends I Go’, which summed up his generous, humble, warm, vibrant spirit.
We will remember Billy fondly and he will never be forgotten.
‘His three children will remind us of him every day. His eldest son Stephen, his kind and loving nature. John his love of nature and animals and his daughter Julie who inherited his mischievous character and great sense of humour.’
Throughout his illness, Prof John Crown, his consultant at St Vincent’s private hospital and his team provided Billy with incredible treatment and care. He had spent several days at Wexford General Hospital prior to returning home before he passed. Due to Covid-19 he was unable to attend St. Vincent’s Hospital. The staff at Wexford Hospital, Wexford Hospice Homecare and the Irish Cancer Society provided immeasurable support to Muriel and the children.
Following his funeral mass, Billy was laid to rest in Horeswood.
He is survived by his wife Muriel, son’s Stephen and John, daughter Julie, parent’s Stephen and Julie, Brother’s, Sister’s, parent’s in law John and Julie, Brother’s and sister’s in law, nieces, nephews and his extended family and friends.
May he Rest in Peace.