His funeral at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Richmond was attended by hundreds of mourners.

The service was described as “lovely” by some who attended, and it was foll-owed by an affectionate wake at Windsor Leagues Club.

Mr Johnson had been battling cancer and had fought hard throughout the past year.

His passions for rugby league and greyhound racing were well known, and he was described as one of the district’s best coaches by Windsor Leagues Club president Dick Prior.

Mr Johnson’s involvement with the Windsor Club spanned more than 20 seasons He even stayed in touch with the Wolves after moving to Dunedoo in the State’s north-west for several years.

His love of the Wolves drew him back to be one of the selectors recently for their Jim Beam Cup campaign.

Billy Johnson will be remembered as a down-to-earth man with a big heart by all who knew him.