The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Daughter’s tearful farewell to ‘best parents in world’
FUNERAL: Three hundred in tribute to Perthshire couple
A Perthshire couple killed during the terrorist attack in Tunisia have been laid to rest.
More than 300 mourners attended Perth Crematorium to say an emotional farewell to Billy and Lisa Graham from Bankfoot.
Delivering a poignant tribute, daughter Holly, 29, spoke of her father being the “biggest softie” and how her mother was “beautiful inside and out”.
“I’m going to miss them so much,” she said.
The Rev Sydney Graham led the service with the message that “love is eternal and stronger than death”.
He said the couple had been admired and respected and told the congregation that their murders had been senseless and unjustified.
An array of floral tributes were laid outside the crematorium.
On holiday to celebrate Lisa’s 50th birthday, the Grahams were among 38 people killed when Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire on a beach in Sousse.
The daughter of a Perthshire couple killed in the Tunisian beach terror attack has paid tribute to her “hero” dad and said she hoped that she could be “half the woman my mum was”.
Holly Graham spoke as Billy and Lisa were laid to rest at Perth Crematorium.
Sobbing as she addressed the 300strong congregation, the 29-year-old said: “Dad was a very strong and brave man but deep down he was the biggest softie you could ever meet and would do anything for anyone. “He was my hero and always will be. “Mum was beautiful inside and out. She worshipped the sun, whether it be on holiday or just in the back garden, she never missed an opportunity to top up her tan.
“I just hope that one day I can be at least half the woman my mum was.
“Many people have said to me over the last few days it was obvious how much mum and dad loved each other – you could just tell by the way they looked at each other.
“My parents truly were the best parents in the world. Dad always knew what to say to cheer me up and mum was always ready to listen to me when I needed someone to speak to. “I’m going to miss them so much.” The Rev Sydney Graham said the “admired and respected” couple had been “senselessly and unjustifiably murdered”.
He added: “We are absolutely devastated and it is outrageous what happened to them as they enjoyed a well-earned rest in the sun at a favourite place.
“But love is eternal and stronger than death, and no irrational act of man’s inhumanity to man can ever defeat the power of love.”
The Grahams were among the 38 people killed when Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire on a beach in Sousse.
The couple, who lived in Bankfoot, had been at the resort celebrating Mrs Graham’s 50th birthday.
Mr Graham spent 22 years in the army and completed tours in Northern Ireland, Kuwait and Iraq. The 51-year- old also worked for seven years on the turnstiles at St Johnstone Football Club.
After the service Bruce Hamilton, who served in the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards with Mr Graham, revealed he had volunteered to play at the funeral after hearing of his former comrade’s death.
As mourners arrived he played Crags of Tumbledown Mountain and Bonnie Dundee.
The regiment amalgamated with the Royal Dragoon Guards in 1992 and members of that unit were also present at the service.
Trooper Matthew Dixon played the Last Post as the curtain was drawn across the couples’ coffins.
Pipe major Dougie Warren played as the mourners left the service, choosing the Skye Boat Song and Rowan Tree.
Floral tributes were laid outside the crematorium, including a wreath from travel operators. The card attached read: “The whole of Thomson and First Choice extend their sincere condolences to you at this sad time.”