There is so much that I could say about Billy Mitchell, and there is so much that has already been said, but there simply are not the words that can truly describe the totality of the man he really was.

I first met Billy back in 1993. At our first meeting I got a deep gut feeling that there was something special, in terms of honesty and integrity, about Billy. As time went on that feeling was proved to be right.

Billy was a man before his time. He was a visionary and passionately longed for peace between our two communities. But he wasn’t just a visionary. He was a doer.

Billy was a true leader in every sense of the word and a man who people found it easy to follow but hard to live up to. Not only did he walk the talk he demanded that everyone walk with him. While in that lonely position of leadership he was always at the forefront of guiding and directing people and events.

Because of our community, political and cultural histories, and although I longed for and desired peace, I often wondered if it was ever possible. Billy changed all that.

He showed me a side of loyalism and unionism that I never believed existed. I can say with heartfelt conviction that Billy was, for me, the ray of light in a very dark tunnel. His great Christian faith drove him to search every avenue and create opportunities in which peace could exist.

We didn’t only see this at the highest political levels, we also seen it on every corner of our streets. He was an architect and founder of what is now known as our ‘community peace process’.

I have seen in Billy a committed Christian, an extremely intelligent person, a man of honour, amazingly trustworthy (and trusting), an absolute friend and a dedicated and loving husband and father.

The sincere thoughts of my family and I are with his wife Mena, daughter Julie-anne and son Cameron at this time.

When I think of Billy Mitchell, I am reminded of a quote from Ceasar Chevaz, the leader of the Mexican/American Union when he said that “non-violence is not inaction, it is not discussion, it is not for the timid or weak ……… none violence is hard work, it is the willingness to sacrifice, it is the patience to win”. Well, for me Billy Mitchell showed that he was never timid or weak, he worked hard for non violence, he was more than willing to sacrifice and he had the patience to win.

From the bottom of my heart I am proud to have met, known and loved him.
Slan mo chara! Goodbye my friend!

Liam Maskey