🌈 Billy’s Bench – A Magical Memorial in Oak

Every memorial bench we make tells a story — but some stay with us forever.

Earlier this year, we were contacted by Kirsty, a friend of a family who had lost their little boy, Billy, just after Christmas. She had seen our Billy the Brave memorial bench and wondered if we could create something special in his memory.

Billy was a bright, funny, creative eight-year-old who loved Toy Story, Lego, Minecraft, and his local football team, Boston United. His mum wanted the bench to reflect everything that made Billy who he was — a joyful spirit, full of imagination and colour.

“Stay here with me for a while. It is majicul here.”
— Billy’s handwriting, engraved on the bench

Using Billy’s own writing taken from his school books, we carefully hand-carved his words into solid oak. His favourite bright blue and Lego-style colours became the foundation of the design, forming the bench’s vibrant base.

On the backrest, Woody from Toy Story

stands beside a Minecraft Creeper, framing a hand-painted portrait of Billy and the Boston United badge — the team he loved to cheer for.

Every curve, colour, and carving was made with care. We wanted to capture not just his likeness, but his laughter — the playful energy that children bring to the world.

The final bench stands proudly overlooking the Welsh hills, a place to sit, smile, and remember. It’s a reminder that love, creativity, and imagination live on in the things we make — and in the stories we tell through wood.

At Free Range Designs, we work closely with families to create bespoke memorial benches that honour the memory of their loved ones.
Each piece is hand-carved in oak, personalised with artwork or inscriptions, and made to last for generations.

If you’d like to commission a memorial bench or learn more about our process, you can explore our Memorial Benches Collection or get in touch with us directly.

Every story deserves a place to rest — and to be remembered.