ONE of Thurrock’s legendary figures and self-confessed criminal hard man Billy Blundell has died.
His son, Bill junior, made the announcement on social media, which has led to a wave of tributes to the East End hard man who, with his brother Eddie, created a business empire.
The brothers built up an ice cream sales business in the East End in the sixties and branched out into other activities including property rental.
Billy, 77, was involved in the shooting of three members of a rival gang in broad daylight on Ilford High Street. He was charged with attempted murder, but a jury cleared him, saying he acted in self defence.
The brothers, who moved to Thurrock after leaving the East End, making homes in South Ockendon, were involved in many other shady activities and spoke openly of their criminal involvement and hard men reputation, but also acquired a legendary status.
On Thursday (27 August) Billy’s son took to Facebook to say: “Sadly Facebook is the best way to notify friends that today my Dad – the legend that is Billy Blundell has passed away.”
Hundreds of local people have visited the post and paid their personal tributes to a man whose name will always be synonymous with ‘old school’ East London gangland.
I knew Eddie and Billy from the Square Ring days 1964 to 1969, Their brother in Law , was Johnny Bonner , who worked at the Sqare Ring Coffee Bar in Forest Gate.
I did some Electrical work for them at 6th Ave, Manor Park in the 60’s, back then they were doing Ice Cream in summer, and Zodie Cabs in winter time.
Eddie and Billy were very close as brothers, and always treated me ok, I was Quite shocked that Billy had past away, R I P, Billy,
Best Regards: Chris Colton.
Rest in peace billy , I had the pleasure of meeting you a good few times , and you helped me once with a phone call to someone . Always wanted to work for you , always respected you , and will always remember you .
TB ..
İ Will Always remember you miss you u big bacon boy xxxxx
Billy blundell Bacon bonce
Sad loss of a fantastic friend hearts with Eddie and flo and Johnny bonner and family all my love little pen x
They broke the mould after they made billy what a bloke condolences too the blindell and extended family
True legend and sadly missed by all…..
Gary Corney
RIP Billy condolences to all the family. Great memories up the farm.what a bloke glad to have the memories sad loss for family and friends.
rip billy sadly missed
God bless you bill Tucker & Teresa Williams xx
Worked for billy in the 70s at his lock up both eddie and billy perfect gentleman with honour.
He was a great block to know and did have a hart in the right place be fair with him and you got fair play back he be a miss by many in Ilford R.I.P Billy
Oops
Met him in Maidstone prison in the eighties..
We were on a bricklaying course….
Unlike the typical stereotype of prisoners…
He was kind full of stories and jokes!!!
Rip O.G
I’m of Jamaican heritage
Marshall
Rest in peace.a sad loss to all you are a legeng
So sorry for your loss I give my love to the family but especially to Eddie. Love orvil
Billie and Eddie what a handful in the mid sixties .Good guys always in the square ring .lots of other guys good hands visited the ring it was a home from home ,owned by Frank price wrestling promoter that place could tell some stories
Our young days together billy ln eskaly lv you in my mind forever and you mum who fed me during rationing also Eddie yo both lv by schreechepowell family
Late tribute mate but we were childhood mates and l lv you as a friend we had much fun but we went seperate ways l said that I wouldn’t get in volved ln what you did because you had a good business brain God bless mate l also think of you mum ho was so good to me and barberaxxx
A really lovely kiddie we all used to box at WHBC in the 60s-always avin a giggle-thourou gentleman his brother Eddie as well good stuff for m8 shame he’s gone Iv only just found out about it bless
Rip Billy Blundell
Always ment to contract family sorry to late.
Max respeck
To all Blundell family
From John Blundell aka pongo banks
Actor x
Cracking fella will b sadly missed,don’t make them like him anymore.
This is going to sound shocking or you will never believe me. But I sawxand spoke to Billy Blundell at a West Ham match recently. He told me he was dead. Which was strange, considering I could feel him the same as any human being. So we sat next to each other watching the match and talked. But then another man, sitting behind us, said they couldn’t see him and I was talking to myself. This got Billy so annoyed. As he thought itcwas disrespectful to me. That he turned around to the man and pushed him around a bit. The man totally freaked out, as he could feel the force on him. Although still mot see him. That scared him into silence. So we carried on watching the match. Billy hot up and left about 2minutes before the 90minutes were up. He Said bye, and walked up the steps, like any other person there. Although I didn’t really comprehend I had been sitting with a supposedly dead man. Until I hot home and latrr that night, googled his name. I was shocked to realise he had passed. Billy doesn’t look like alot of other guys. So i even wondered.. is he really dead ? Or was it someone using his name, that looked really similar But a young lad a few seats away, also told me they saw him. After the commotion with the invisible cuffing he gave the guy behind us. It was very strange. I dont know who to tell about this.. and can’t explain, the entire conversation we had here.. I really hope this isn’t offensive to his grieving family and friends. Only to say, that he seemed happy to be there. (And We won the match)
did he have anything to do with the essex killings
Good ridden…to bad rubbish!
Good riddens…to bad rubbish!
Mad how many muppets say things about the man now he’s dead you would shit yourselves if he was in front of you and run away with your tails between your legs it’s sad the last time I saw him was outside the chip shop in Ockendon I was talking to him about doing some training to get fit because I’m a old boy now rip old school
Managed to get Billy and Eddie’s trial stopped at the Bailey in 1973. An ex Scotland Yard man having a drink with a juror was seen as corruption. Never mind that the juror was a friend of Billy (Little Leslie Wilson). Happy days
RIP Billy, and also from Lenny my Brother, well known in the Proper East End, A safe journey through those pearly gates…
I had the honour to meet with billy whilst in hospital about twenty nine years ago needless to say he helped me listening to his story’s and ivy listening to the pain and hurt I was in . I will always be grateful for billy taking me away from how I was in hospital and he gave lots of great advice I see him after we had both been charged several weeks later and never forget him telling me fight to survive don’t let others take away your future I think that went both ways he was a genuinely nice human to those deserving kindness RIP billy I will never forget the chats and never forget the kindness shown
Is bill really dead just asking his walking round chadwell st Mary drinking in chadwell arms and fox hound pub whith a mug called chubby and the rap of crap boy run by Colin pedo chonen
I thought we were pals then you go and do that to me and Tone with your brother and noye.
Knew Billymany years ago he was friends with my ex husband, he was always a polite to me met again at the civic hall when I was with Mt my present husband we had a chat next saw him in tbe pub jus outside Orsett just a few days before we left to go.live in Spain he wished us good luck R.I.P. Mr Blundall
I’ve never met you my friend but I know of your name and to me it is synonymous with all the top boys of the east end uv had a big impact on my life and have taught me that with all the violence we are involved in there is a proper gentle man with in us that far out shines that which is bad in our lives u was a true gentleman n I know u have ur place in heaven good night and god bless Jay b
My claim to fame is Mr Blundell sold me an ice cream in the 1970’s. I had a 69e, it tasted so good I cam still smell it.
i used to rent a yard from Billy back
in the early eighties up at the farm
his mum use to come out of the house
every monday to collect my rent !
had many a conversation and laugh with Billy in the afternoons .. and the young fellas he had there , R.I.P Billy was a pleasure to know you
Billy blundell was a legend in his own rights he worked hard as well as clever to get what he wanted out of life he didn’t mess around with idiots he was the politest man you could ever meet but he took no crap and loved his family rip Billy
I went to school with his son Billy. An absolute waster, just like the rest of the family. Burn in hell, all the horrible, nasty things you got up to inflicting torture and pain on others.
Why people are leaving, Oh Mr Blundell and your brother Eddie were wonderful. No, you wasn’t wonderful, you were a thug, just like the rest of your kids and family. The world has been granted a favour removing detritus such as you and your ilk. May you never rest in peace, may you be tormented for eternity, just as I wish ill will on the rest of the Blundell family. You’ve all got blood on your hands, I hope this torments you forever more.