The flamboyant life and hidden past of a man known as the 'Traveller King' has been laid bare, revealing a story of brutal violence and astonishing opulence that culminated in a six-figure solid gold coffin.
Billy Burton, a prominent figure within the traveller community, was given a send-off fit for royalty. His funeral procession through the streets of Nottingham was a spectacle of wealth, featuring a custom-made, gleaming gold casket valued at a staggering £100,000, pulled by a team of plumed black horses.
A Life of Contrasts: Notorious Enforcer to Community Figurehead
Behind the lavish public image, however, lay a dark and dangerous secret history unknown to many who knew him. Burton was not just a wealthy businessman and family patriarch; court records and police files reveal he was a convicted criminal with a history of extreme violence.
His criminal portfolio includes a chilling conviction for a vicious attack where he brutally stamped on a man's head, an act that left his victim with life-altering injuries. This was not an isolated incident, painting a picture of a man who used fear and brutality to enforce his will.
The Man Behind the Myth
Burton cultivated an image of success and generosity within his community. He was known for his flashy displays of wealth, from a fleet of luxury cars to expensive jewellery, and was often referred to as a 'gypsy king'. This persona stood in stark contrast to the enforcer documented in court transcripts.
His death has sent ripples through the traveller community, where he was a significant and polarising figure. The sheer scale of his funeral, an event that brought parts of the city to a standstill, is a testament to his standing and the complex legacy he leaves behind.
The revelation of his violent past forces a re-examination of his life, presenting a dual narrative of a revered community leader and a dangerous criminal—a man who was buried like a king, but whose reign was built on a foundation of fear and crime.
