‘If you come, turn up in a jersey’: The King plans his funeral

When Wally Lewis separated from his wife Jacqui after 36 years of marriage, he turned to those who had been through similar. This is what they told him.

Rugby league Immortal Wally Lewis has confronted his mortality and spoken about the family split that rocked the Queensland legend.

In a Sunday Mail exclusive, “The King” has revealed what his dying wishes will be after making the decision to plan his State of Origin-themed fairytale farewell.

At 62, Lewis insists he has plenty of life left in him and will be front and centre at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night to watch his beloved Maroons take on NSW in the Origin series decider.

But his public battle with epilepsy, declining health of 91-year-old father Jim and regular attendances at funerals has made Lewis realise he is entering the latter stage of life.

Lewis has become an ambassador for prepaid funeral service Guardian Plan and said it was time he confronted his inevitable death.

“There was an occasion where I went around to my parents’ house and I thought Dad was dead,” he said.

“I felt for a pulse and it was ultralight. It was just there and he went into hospital.

“The discussion for me started immediately after that. I thought maybe I should start planning this; it’s a situation every family will go through at some point.

“It’s all about having things in place, knowing what you want to do, where you want to do it.

“It’s going to happen at some time so it’s better to have things already.”

Wally Lewis with a Queensland Maroons coffin at White Lady Funerals. Picture: Richard Walker

THE MAROON FAREWELL

Lewis is regarded as the greatest player in State of Origin history.

He played in the first Origin game in 1980 and won a stunning eight man-of-the-match awards in 34 appearances for the Maroons, earning the nickname “The Emperor of Lang Park”.

That is why Lewis wants an Origin-themed farewell – complete with a Maroons coffin – and has chosen to plan his funeral with Guardian Plan, which offers simple to extravagant packages.

“I’d love to be buried in one of my jerseys,” Lewis said.

“If I was wearing a Queensland one and buried in Brisbane, I would be resting very comfortably for a long time.

“I can’t see having everyone standing around in suits (at my funeral). The guys I know from footy and my days at Nobby’s Surf Life Saving Club don’t like wearing suits.

“If you’re going to take the time to turn up to my funeral, come along as comfortably as you can in a jersey. Those that turn up in NSW jerseys can expect to be abused (laughs).”

Wally Lewis during the 1991 State of Origin series.

THE FRACTURED ROYAL FAMILY

The separation of Lewis and wife Jacqui in February last year following 36 years of marriage sent shockwaves through Queensland.

With three children – Mitchell, Lincoln and Jamie-Lee – between them, the breakdown caused a division within the family as Lewis confirmed he was in a new relationship with Townsville-based Lynda Adams.

For Lewis, the situation is tough to talk about but was another factor in him thinking about his future.

“It’s been very uncomfortable,” Lewis said.

“The separation took part and it’s been a difficult period. I’ve spoken to people who have been in similar situations who have said it’s never going to be comfortable.

“We seem to all get older a lot faster. A day seemed to take an eternity to pass when we were kids. Now, they’re rolling over like the scoreboard on a pinball machine.

“If you’re a realist, you want to have things in order.”

THE KING’S HEALTH BATTLES

Lewis is in good shape and insists his health is not a concern.

But he has endured enough scares – and seen mates taken too soon – to know how quickly things can change.

He had successful brain surgery in 2007 to cure epilepsy following numerous seizures in what was a sobering reminder of life’s fragility for a tough former footballer.

“When you are a footy player, you think you’re 10-foot tall and bulletproof – that wasn’t the case,” he said.

“I got a scare with the epilepsy and brain surgery. It was a wake-up call I was given and there was a suggestion I should get things in order for my passing.

A Queensland Maroons coffin. Picture: Richard Walker

“I’ve got no plans of carking it any time soon but I had to get serious. It will happen some day.

“No one likes to do it, but you have to get your will in order and things in place. You’d like the only person that has to do anything uncomfortable to be yourself.”

Rugby league has been rocked by high-profile deaths in recent years.

Lewis’s captain from the 1980 Origin – Arthur Beetson – died suddenly in 2011 while NSW’s skipper that night, Tommy Raudonikis, died last year following a long battle with cancer.

Lewis admits there is a great unknown about the long-term effects of playing a contact sport like rugby league, but refuses to be bitter with the game that gave him so much.

“Of course there is a concern but I made my life out of playing rugby league,” he said.

“While I don’t want to see people hurt or suffering long-term issues in retirement, it’s a game that did enormous things for me.

“If it wasn’t for football I would have been another kid standing in the unemployment queue looking for a job. I feel thrilled to have had the honour to play the greatest game of all

Wally Lewis and NSW’s Wayne Pearce after a 1986 Origin clash.

Five songs Wally Lewis wants played at his funeral

1) Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce

2) Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton

3) Time to say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli

4) My Way by Frank Sinatra

5) Always Look on The Bright Side of Life by Monty Python