Wesley Johnson mourned by Bundaberg locals

Touching tributes to popular local man Wesley Johnson – or Wes, as he was more affectionately known – have continued to pour in from the community.

Less than a month after the funeral of popular local man Wesley Johnson – or Wes, as he was more affectionately known – tributes have continued to pour in from the community.

Wes was known to spend a great deal of time in the CBD, chatting with locals and sitting in the sunshine, always happy to give a nod and smile.

They were small gestures with big meaning to the local community, who now feels lost in the city without his presence.

Carol Smith told the Bundaberg NewsMail on Wednesday said she had known Wes for nine years and met him through her former partner.

“He was always happy,” she said.

“I‘d give him a cigarette and buy him a coke or milkshake every day I’d see him outside Chippy’s in town.

“I miss him, not being outside Chippy‘s it’s not the same.

“I always looked forward to seeing Wes. The things he’d come out and say would make your day.”

When the NewsMail posted details of Wes’s passing at the age of 43, ahead of his September funeral, nearly 300 readers commented about their sadness at the loss.

Ms Smith said while she hadn’t been ready then, her friend deserved a good tribute as he was such a “beautiful” person.

There were many little, special moments readers recounted.

For people like Leo Levarre-Waters, it was the moment Wes was a “champion” for tracking him down to give him his keys after he‘d left them at the newsagent.

Daniel Lines said Wes had been a “legend” all the way since high school.

Ian Derome commented that it was as if everyone had a friend in the CBD when Wes was around.

“Words just can’t express the sadness we are all feeling right now because you were more than just someone who hung around up the CBD,” he said.

“You were a friend, a brother and you were always there to listen to somebody when having a yarn.

“We will miss your smile, your laughter, your sense of humour.

“Fly high my friend, RIP.”

Kim Shaxson called for a permanent memorial to be considered for Bundaberg to remember Wes by.

Lisa Crosbie, referencing a post on the NewsMail Facebook page about what people outside Bundaberg wouldn't understand about our city, commented the following:

“You know that question you asked the other day about what one thing that out of town people wouldn’t understand? Wes,” she wrote, adding a heart emoji.

Jade Hicks added: “RIP Wes, what a wonderful soul. Will be sadly missed by all.”