The family of a man who was found dead in his home in Ipswich have paid tribute to ‘a true punk who was kind and generous’.
Relatives of Billy McNicholl, 63, have said they were ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by his death.
Officers were called to an address in Hawthorn Drive, Chantry, shortly before 6pm on New Year’s Day.
Billy McNicholl was found dead in Ipswich on New Year’s Day. Picture: Suffolk Police
When they arrived, they found the body of a man inside, later identified as Mr McNicholl.
A murder investigation was launched over the weekend as his death was believed to be suspicious.
A Home Office post-mortem examination confirmed head injuries and a single stab wound as the cause of Mr McNicholl’s death.
Billy McNicholl was found dead in his home on January 1. Picture supplied by family.
His family issued the following statement: “William, Billy, Electric Bill or Warmonger Bill. The man with many names who meant lots of different things to different people.”
They said love him or hate him, he was ‘certainly no angel and was well known for being outspoken with strong opinions’.
“But his friends, five nieces and sister remember him as kind and generous, even when he didn’t have much himself. He was a cool, clever, eccentric and a cheeky ‘geeza’ with a fun sense of humour,” his family said.
“While we may not of been close to him in recent years, we have many fond memories of him riding his Harley Davidson, holidays in the Yorkshire Dales, listening to Iron Maiden, how to be punk and an anarchist, discussing politics and theology, being a whizz at a Rubik’s cube and how to fight the government, all the skills an uncle should bestow upon his nieces.
“He was a well-known personality in town from the late 70’s after moving from London with his big sister. He loved the local punk music scene, was involved in the poll tax squat on the old post office, political protests but music and canine companions remained his biggest passion.”
Family described him as a ‘true punk’. Picture supplied by family
Mr McNicholl first moved to Ipswich in the 1970s. He later moved to Haverhill before returning to the county town three years ago.
He was part of a canine community group who have also paid tribute to him.
They said: “His love of Staffordshire Bull Terriers gained him respect and many friends among the bull breed community and his Facebook group.
“Billy’s dogs, his companions were always his first priority. Billy was a larger than life character with a heart of gold.
“May he rest in peace, secure in the knowledge that Little Leo is now being cared for, in accordance with his wishes by a close friend.”
To give him the send off he deserves, Mr McNicholl’s family have started a GoFundMe page.
You can donate to the cause here.
His family added: “William had a complex and difficult childhood which massively shaped him and he didn’t always get the support he needed to help him process this and recover.
“He was very vulnerable recently and we are all deeply saddened and shocked someone did this to him, no one deserves that ever.
“So his family and friends would really like to offer him the dignity in his ceremony that he didn’t get in his passing.”
Investigations into Mr McNicholl’s murder continue.
Anyone with information or who saw any suspicious activity in the area between December 24 and January 1 is urged to get in touch with police, quoting crime reference, 37/162/25.