Family remembers Billy J Smith as ‘emotional man’

Billy J Smith always left a smile on people’s faces and he did so, for one last time, when his funeral concluded with the theme song from It’s A Knockout. One of Queensland’s most iconic voices was farewelled at a star-studded memorial service in Brisbane on Friday.

BILLY J Smith always left a smile on people’s faces and he did so, for one last time, when his funeral concluded with the theme song from It’s A Knockout.

New Farm’s Holy Spirit Church was yesterday packed with family, friends, rugby league royalty and media to farewell one of Queensland’s most iconic voices, who passed away in hospital, aged 73, last week.

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Every seat in the church was occupied, such was the popularity of Billy J, while dozens more gathered outside the front door to celebrate the life of the media personality.

Mourners outside the funeral of Billy J Smith at the Holy Spirit church in New Farm. Picture: AAP/John Gass

His funeral was attended by some of the biggest names in Brisbane media and sport including former Broncos’ Kevin Walters, Shane Webcke, Ben Ikin, Chris Johns and Allan Langer, cricketers Ian Healy and Allan Border and Channel 7’s Kay McGrath.

Radio broadcaster Alan Jones and sports journalist Pat Welsh also paid their respects when they were asked to speak during the funeral service to commemorate the life of their “great mate”.

Ben Ikin. Picture: AAP image, John Gass

Steve Renouf. Picture: AAP image, John Gass

As the congregation gathered inside the church, people spoke about the need to turn off their mobile phones – a habit drilled into them at many a Billy J function for fear of being an easy target to his remarks.

A person sitting in the back row with the prolonged duck quack ringtone was lucky Billy wasn’t there, for they no doubt would have been mercilessly sliced and diced for the interruption.

Kevin Walters. Picture: AAP image, John Gass

Shane Webcke. Picture: AAP image, John Gass

But there was complete silence as his son Joel Smith spoke of his “unconventional dad” and learning to watch the football from the back of a commentary box.

“Knowing what to say today has been difficult,” he said.

“How do you describe a relationship you’ve always known?

“He was an emotional man. Always as ready to shed a tear as to crack a smile, as generous with love as with laughter.

“Life with dad wasn’t always conventional, you got used to people knowing him wherever you went.

“I was gifted a love that was truly without conditions. I love him for it and always will.”

Billy J was yesterday remembered for his sharp tongue.

William Smith was born January 4, 1946 at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and became known as “Billy J” when he began his career in radio at 4LG Longreach.

Billy J was yesterday remembered for his sharp tongue, his roasting of raffle winners at his functions, his input in helping develop the State of Origin and his co-hosting of the national ‘80s game show It’s A Knockout.

The 73-year-old was still hard at work as compere for Gambaro’s Mud Crab Cup on February 24, the charity event that stops Caxton St and gave Billy J an annual stage on which to fire-off his trademark quips and insults.

Three days later, he passed away at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after suffering head injuries from a fall following a day out with friends on February 26.

It came after Billy battled through cardiac disease three years ago, culminating in a weekend where his family “thought he was going to die” but was nursed through to full recovery.

Alan Jones at the Billy J Smith’s funeral yesterday. Picture: AAP/John Gass

Mr Jones said the death of Billy J Smith was a huge loss for the media and sporting industry.

“We honour today and celebrate the career of achievement, amusement, generosity and pioneering accomplishments,” he said.

“It is without argument that in television, in radio and the wider world of entertainment, Billy J Smith was one of Queensland’s outstanding personalities.

“For those who barely knew Billy J, just knew him from his lunches or his rugby league calls, we mourn the death of a funny, generous and affable man. But to those who knew him well … it is like a giant oak tree crashing in the media and sporting forest.”

Yesterday’s funeral was wrapped up with a lighthearted touch when the theme song from It’s A Knockout was played before Andrea Bocelli’s Time to Say Goodbye.