Family promise ‘war’ over extravagant £200,000 grave with statue, jukebox & flashing lights as council plots removal
A BITTER spat between a council and 'Traveller King's' family over his extravagant £200,000 grave is still dragging out years after he died - with the latter promising to wage war if the shrine is tampered with.
Willy Collins' grieving family erected one of the UK's biggest headstones in the dad-of-nine's memory after he died suddenly four years ago.
Since then, Sheffield City Council have confirmed that the grave was built "without permission" in March 2022 and that it exceeded the maximum dimensions, YorkshireLive reported.
At that time, they added they were "considering" their "next steps" regarding Willy's resting place.
The late bare-knuckled fighter's family warned that "there would be war" if the council dared to knock down the headstone, while his widow promised "very bad riots" would break out.
The monument is said to weigh a whopping 37 tonnes, have a solar-powered duke box playing his favourite tunes, and be made of solid Carrara marble.
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It also features life-sized statues of Big Willy's 6ft 2in frame and four flagpoles, as well as depictions of Jesus Christ and biblical scenes.
Willy was known as the "King of Sheffield" and his family were sure to create a memorial 'fit for a king' - but the council turned around and said the grave broke its rules.
The massive private plot was unveiled in March last year after the 49-year-old died when he collapsed on holiday in Majorca in July 2020.
One of 16 children, Willy was the patriarch of the Collins family and had around 400 nieces and nephews.
Willy was a popular figure in Sheffield's Darnall area, with hundreds decking out to pay their tributes at his funeral.
When the council first said the grave didn't meet its rules two years ago, Willy's family beefed up their security.
CCTV cameras were installed and a security guard was hired to keep watch.
One of his nine children, daughter Mary, told The Sun: "I do not understand why they would take against this tribute to my father.
"Any attempt to have us take this down would be fought legally as it would be a blatant matter of racism."
RULES FOR GRAVE OWNERSHIP
When a grave has been bought, a Deed of Grant is issued and the name of the registered grave owner is recorded in the statutory register as the person owning burial rights. The grave deed grants the owner the exclusive rights to a grave for 50 to 100 years. No ownership of land is granted and the land remains the property of the church or local council. The deed grants the owner the right to:
• Be buried in a designated grave if space is available (includes cremated remains)
• Authorise further burials in the grave where space is available (includes cremated remains)
• The grave deed is an important document and must be produced in the event of any future burial in the grave.
The owner must give permission for any burials in, or memorials placed on, the grave. If there is no living owner, you will need to prove that you are legally entitled to the grave, and the 'transfer of ownership' must be completed before a burial can go ahead.
She continued: "It’s not even the tallest monument in the cemetery. There is one to the first Bishop of Sheffield that is taller than this."
"We are currently trying to address this situation and there are no other updates to report at the moment," a spokesperson for Sheffield City Council told YorkshireLive.
Meanwhile, councillor Alison Teal, executive member for sustainable neighbourhoods, wellbeing, parks and leisure, said: "We are aware of a large memorial which has been erected in Shiregreen Cemetery.
"This memorial was built without permission and we are currently considering our next steps.
"Cemeteries are a place where people can come, pay their respects and visit loved ones who are no longer with us.
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"We understand memorials are deeply personal, however we must have rules in place to ensure fairness."
The Sun has reached out to Sheffield City Council for comment.
