Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson farewelled loved ones in emotional funeral
IN PICTURES: Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s wife shares loss of losing her soulmate to fatal chopper crash. ‘To me and the boys you were invincible’.
Northern Territory
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UPDATE 6PM, MON: THE wide-brimmed Akubras could not hide the tears as Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson was farewelled by a guard of honour of construction gear, four-wheel drives, buggies and boats outside the Darwin Convention Centre.
The cowboy, croc wrangler, family man, jokester and unwavering friend was killed in a horrific helicopter crash in West Arnhem on Monday, March 28.
Seven days after the fatal chopper crash, the 34-year-old’s wife and two young boys touched down in his beloved R66 Turbine helicopter to a waiting crowd of 1000 mourners.
Willow’s wife, Dani, clearly distressed, was held up by friends as she headed towards the convention centre. Behind her was the crack of a flare igniting, sending orange smoke billowing through the harbour. Two skydivers spiralled slowly carrying twin flags representing the two loves of Willow’s life – his family and the Territory.
There was barely a dry eye in the crowd as John William’s ‘True Blue’ filled the hall of the Darwin Convention Centre.
The familiar Aussie twang rang out as countrymen and women leaned on each other, hands clasped together, mourning the loss of a true friend.
His wife smiled up at the projected image of her husband even as the tears welled while holding her two boys.
The young widow was breathless from her grief as she spoke about losing her soulmate.
“It’s a day I never saw coming. To me and the boys you were invincible,” she said.
“I lost my best friend, my big dreamer, my cheeky loveable husband. You were simply my hero.
“Honey, I love you to the moon and back and I just want you to come home.”
Looking into the crowd at her two young sons, she said Chris would always be with her family. “When you passed that day you flew up pass the clouds and became the brightest shining star up there,” she said.
“You’re up there flying a chopper, egg collecting, driving a digger, fishing and having a beer. You’re probably doing absolutely everything you were doing down here … only you wouldn’t have to follow any damn laws.”
Willow’s father, Robert ‘Bobcat’ Wilson reminisced about his son’s first croc encounter, at just five-years-old in the Darwin Museum.
“He and his mate climbed over the barrier and set off the alarms by sitting on Sweetheart,” Mr Wilson said.
He said even then, he and Willow’s mother Sharon knew their greatest challenge would be keeping him safe without dampening his obvious adventurous spirit.
Mr Wilson said his son was the emergency contact for too many Territorians, on speed dials for every bogged ute, stuck boat, trapped critter or friend in need.
“In the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night his phone was never off.”
Ian ‘Hagus’ Hageman remembered his friend as a “beautiful loving soul”. “So fly home my friend, you just weren’t meant to grow old.”
Dave Hannon said his mate formed a bond of equals with everyone he shook hands with to say hello.
He said there was a debt of friendship between Chris and every member in the crowd.
“Those debts need to be repaid … if you’re heading to the rodeo take the (Wilson) family with you. If you go on a fishing trip ask the boys to come, and when Ted and Austin get their first beer at the pub, put your hand up to pay your debt because you know that’s what Willow would have done.”
UPDATE 2.30PM, MON: THE pilot who was in the cockpit of a fatal helicopter crash brought hundreds to tears as his words echoed through the funeral hall.
Sebastian Robinson, 28, was unable to attended the funeral for his friend, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson but video called into the ceremony from his hospital bed.
Mr Robinson was the survivor of a helicopter crash at the King River on the morning of February 28, which killed the 34-year-old father and fellow Outback Wrangler crew member.
The 28-year-old pilot suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition but has made a steady recovery following the crash.
In the final moments of the funeral service, Mr Robinson video called into the ceremony to wish Willow’s loved ones the best from his hospital bed.
Mr Robinson called in as the pall bearers gathered together around the casket.
“Can you give them a big hug from me?” Mr Robinson asked as the camera panned around the packed Darwin Convention Centre.
Willow’s father, Robert ‘Bobcat’ Wilson said even in their grief their thoughts were with Mr Robinson and his family.
Mr Wilson read aloud a letter from Mr Robinson as part of his son’s eulogy.
“To Willow, my mate, your passing has suspended reality for all of us,” Mr Robinson wrote.
“It was way too soon and completely unfair in everyway.
“As humble as you are you would be pleased to see how many people are here today, to show their support and share a beer or two in your name.
Mr Robinson reminisced about becoming ‘Uncle Seth’ to Willow’s two young boys, Ted, 4, and Austin, 1, and flying in to the Wilson homestead.
“Willow and I both share the same love of the Top End and everything outdoors.” Mr Robinson wrote.
“I have so many great memories of our adventures together which will make for man good yarns for Teddy and Austin as they grow up.
“Dani, please know that this will never change and I will always drop in to see you and the boys.
“I promise that Uncle Seb will take your boys out on adventures and show them the outdoors, just like dad did.”
UPDATE 10AM MON: The wide-brimmed Akubras did nothing to hide the tears as Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson was farewelled in Darwin this morning.
It was a Territorian farewell. His mates in dusty boots, blue jeans with Akubras tilted carried their friend to his final resting place.
The Darwin Convention Centre was filled with tears for Christopher ‘Willow’ Wilson’s memorial ceremony.
The Outback Wrangler lost his life in a horrific helicopter accident, but doing what he loved.
The whirr of a helicopter rippled through the harbour, landing on the boardwalk of Darwin Waterfront.
Willow’s wife, Dani, clearly distressed, was braced by friends as they headed towards the convention centre.
Her grief palpable to the thousands who had gathered.
Behind her was a loud crack as a flare ignited sending orange smoke billowing through the harbour.
The signal allowed two skydivers to fly down, twin flags representing the two loves of Willow’s life – his family and the Territory.
Alongside the oversized Territory flag was a printed memorial of the man as he is most remembered – a family man, a father, a husband.
The flag bearers carried the tributes inside. Stopping only to cloak the beloved Territorian’s casket in the fabric.
INITIAL 8.30AM, MON: A large crowd has gathered at the funeral of Chris “Willow” Wilson this morning.
The 34-year-old father of two was killed in a helicopter crash in a remote part of West Arnhem Land.
The Outback Wrangler cast member has already been remembered by loved ones as a born and bred Territory boy.
Never too far from a fish, wheel or motor, Willow has been remembered by his loved ones as a man filled with the spirit of adventure.
The service will begin with a special tribute in the sky from 10.30am, with the service to be livestreamed.
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Originally published as Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson farewelled loved ones in emotional funeral
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