Willy Naessens buried: « See us all standing here now, reports of great sorrow » (Wortegem-Petegem)
The ceremony took place on Saturday in the Sint-Mauruskerk, where he also married his Marie-Jeanne in 2018. In the church there was only room for family and close friends, but the general public was able to follow the ceremony on large screens on the Kerkplein. For his employees there was a place in the Stroehoeve stud farm, an old farm that he bought and transformed years ago into a professional horse company with stables, an inner track and his own breeding program.
The farewell to Naessens started with a funeral procession that left at the Strohoeve. Under the guidance of police officers on horseback, the black carriage left with the coffin, pulled by the personal four-in-hand of the famous entrepreneur, towards the Sint-Mauruskerk, about 700 meters away. Immediately when you come out, the funeral procession was received by an honorary hedge of the friends, employees and the protesters of Oudenaarde. « We have already been to bring Willy a final greeting on Thursday. He was our chairman, » explains Paul Gevaert. « Now we form an honorary hedge out of respect. » Many of them wore a straw hat as a tribute.
The ceremony went according to the classic Catholic structure, with lectures, an gospel text, a homily and prayers. Veerle, Willy’s daughter, was the first to speak. « See us all standing here now, reports of great sorrow, » she started. She remembered her father as an inspired entrepreneur, always busy with his work, but above all a real ‘people person’: « People were the oxygen you needed. »
Veerle spoke about his simplicity, his common sense and his approachability, and how, despite all his achievements, he has always remained a « female » – simple, wise and loved. She pointed to the massive wave of compassion who hit them deeply. « You were so loved. We draw strength from your enthusiasm to continue your work. »
With a smile, she referred to his witty urge to business: « I secretly thought that you will also set up a branch above. » Finally, she assured her father: « We are taking care of Aunt, Son and your grandchildren. »
“We continue Carriage”
His grandchildren then also spent a warm and moving farewell word. They spoke about their grandfather with a lot of love and admiration, and remembered his generous smile, his zest for life and his recently grown softness. « In recent years you became milder and you had more attention for your family and the little things in life. »
They quoted anecdotes about his enthusiasm, his tendency to take pictures of everything, and his tireless planning – as if he were immortal. « You lived and made plans as if you were going to be a hundred, and in our head it was. »
Finally, a catchy image of their ambition for the family business sounded: « Dear, dear Pappie, you can now unload the reins. We pull the cart. Or yes, the carriage, further. And rest assured: the noses are in the same direction. »
Sandwich
Singer Christoff brought some songs during the ceremony, including his own hit A star. AndFilip van Hautegem, director in the company, outlined a powerful portrait of Naessens during the funeral. « Willy would rather take the way to something new, something challenging, » he said. With his unusual look at the world, he saw opportunities where others saw problems, and built an impressive business empire, without losing his social involvement, it sounded.
Afterwards, the family was welcomed by a loud applause when you come out and everyone went to the Strohoeve. At the request of Naessens himself, sandwiches with minced meat and cheese were distributed to all those present.
