GoFundMe launched for ‘Billy’ Howlett’s funeral

Friends of a country postie who was allegedly bashed to death outside a pub in the main street are rallying to help the three children he leaves behind.

Friends of William “Billy” George Howlett have rallied to help the 41-year-old’s children bear the costs of his funeral after the “genuine and kind” Lagoon Pocket postie was allegedly bashed to death in Gympie.

Two young men are facing murder charges after Mr Howlett was allegedly bashed outside a pub in Mary St, the main street of Gympie, early on Sunday, November 19.

He suffered critical injuries and was given CPR by witnesses as they waited for emergency services to arrive.

Mr Howlett was then taken the Sunshine Coast University Hospital but died just over 24 hours later.

A makeshift memorial of flowers, pictures and words of comfort left by family, friends and the community has been created around the base of a tree near where the alleged bashing happened.

‘Act of faith’: Hope on feds to ensure Borumba’s environmental feasibility

Gympie region resident and family friend Skye Quinn has launched an online fundraising campaign to help William “Billy” George Howlett’s children Mikayla, William and George with funeral costs, expenses and “to give them some time they have needed to grieve”.

The two men charged over his death are 21-year-old Cody James Shaw and 24-year-old Brandon Steven Charles Whaite.

Family friend Skye Quinn has now launched a fundraising campaign to help Mr Howlett’s three children - Mikayla, William and George - with funeral costs, expenses and “to give them some time they have needed to grieve”.

“William, ‘Billy’, was one genuine and kind bloke,” Ms Quinn said in the online GoFundMe campaign.

“You could meet Bill and he would brighten up your day with his cheeky banter and down to earth nature.

“He would help anyone in their time of need.”

Beautiful one day, gone the next: Inskip and its sinking sand

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the children of William "Billy" George Howlett, who was killed in an alleged deadly bashing at Gympie in the early hours of Sunday, November 20, 2023.

She said he was a “hard worker” who “absolutely adored his kids” and “took much pride as they are growing into independent young adults”.

“Let’s all give Billy the send off he deserves and give what we can to help his lovely family in this their time of need,” Ms Quinn said.

By midday Thursday, more than $1700 had been raised.

Mr Howlett’s funeral will be held 9am Tuesday, December 12, at the Lightning Ridge Community Centre in New South Wales.