Scots couple killed in Tunisia laid to rest

THE grieving daughter of a Scottish couple killed in the Tunisian beach terror attack has told mourners at their funeral they were the “best parents in the world”.

A photograph of Billy and Lisa Graham sits beside flowers at their funeral at Perth Crematorium. Picture: PA

Friends and family of Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot near Perth, heard they were “senselessly and unjustifiably murdered”.

The couple were on a trip to the tourist resort of Sousse to celebrate Mrs Graham’s 50th birthday when they were killed on 26 June.

Hundreds of mourners gathered to say a final farewell to the “admired and respected” couple at a service at Perth crematorium today.

Holly Graham at the funeral of her parents Billy and Lisa Graham at Perth Crematorium. Picture: PA

Their daughter Holly wept as she told mourners: “My parents truly were the best parents in the world.

“I am going to miss them so much. I am so very proud to be their daughter and I will continue to do my best to make them proud to be my parents.

“Sleep tight, Mum and Dad, I love you.”

Recalling her parents, she added: “Dad was such a happy man. He loved to laugh, he was always cracking jokes.

“He was certainly not a quiet man. He would always stop and chat to people in the street.

“Dad was a very strong and brave man. He would do anything for anyone.”

She said her mother was “the life and soul of every party”.

“She worshipped the sun, whether on holiday or in the back garden. Mum’s laugh was infectious. She often burst into giggles for reasons unknown.”

The Rev Sydney Graham told mourners the couple “had a lovely relationship and life together”, and they had “created and enjoyed a beautiful home in Bankfoot and worked hard in our community”.

He said: “Where Billy went, Lisa went too, and they always found their place as an admired and respected family.”

Rev Graham said Mr Graham had spent “22 years loyally serving us and their Queen and country in the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards”, during which time he was deployed to Germany and Northern Ireland.

He said: “Billy and Lisa loved the special time of their holidays and breaks together in the sun.

“We are absolutely devastated and it is outrageous what happened to them as they enjoyed a well-earned rest in the sun at a favourite place.

“But love is eternal and stronger than death and no irrational act of man’s inhumanity to man can ever defeat the power of love.”

Rev Graham told how, after the beach attack in which 38 holidaymakers lost their lives, a candlelit vigil had been held to remember the Grahams.

He said: “Let there be no doubt the light of the world shines on in the darkness. Darkness has never succeeded in snuffing it out and will never overcome it.”

A funeral service also took place today for another victim, mother-of-four Trudy Jones.

Ms Jones, 51, of Blackwood, in Gwent, south Wales, was on holiday with her friends when she was killed. Her family said after the attack that “our mother of all people didn’t deserve this – such a caring person who put everyone else before herself”.

Another couple killed, Jim and Ann McQuire, of Cumbernauld, were laid to rest on Friday.

The family of a further British victim of the attack, Sue Davey, have confirmed a service of thanksgiving will be held in her home town of Tamworth, Staffordshire, later this week.