Truckie’s send-off a prime event

Long-time truck driver Vaughn Williams was given a grand send-off on Thursday when he was driven to the Bunbury Crematorium on the back of a prime mover.

Picture by David Bailey

The funeral procession, which included two prime movers and motorbikes, stopped traffic and turned heads as it headed from William Barrett & Sons to the crematorium.

Originally from South Australia, the 51-year-old got his truck licence when he was16 and had been on the road until his diabetes stopped him from getting behind the wheel.

Stratham man Greg Hitchcock had got to know Mr Williams well during the past 10 years as the two men would drive ‘‘two-up’’ together on the Perth to Melbourne stretch.

Mr Hitchcock said his mate was a ‘‘good bloke and loyal to those he liked’’ and who loved his daughter and four grandchildren.

‘‘He always said he wanted his last ride to be on a truck so we were just carrying out his wishes,’’ Mr Hitchcock said.

‘‘He certainly made an impact on people on his way out — he would have been laughing his head off.

‘‘The truck we used was the last one he ever drove.’’

Mr Williams’ ashes will be spread over a stretch of the Nullarbor Plain known as the ‘‘90-mile straight’’.

Mr Hitchcock said this was so Mr Williams could ‘‘keep an eye on the truckies’’.