Megan Bills: Hundreds turn out for funeral of teenager found dead in a wardrobe

More than 200 people turned out at St James Church in Wollaston yesterday to pay a final farewell to the choir singer from Stourbridge.

The ceremony came five months after she was discovered dead at a hostel in Highgate Road, Brierley Hill.

Westlife song ‘I’ll See You Again’ played out as mourners entered the church where Megan’s wicker coffin was placed at the front draped in flowers. it was also decorated with a purple, heart-shaped balloon.

Reverend Nick Kaleniuk began by telling how Megan was born in Coventry and was brought up by adoptive parents Dawn and Martin Bills in Stourbridge with her brother James.

She went to St James Primary School in the town. She became a dedicated member of the church choir while going on to pursue a career as a hairdresser.

Rev Diana Farmer then read out a tribute from her family, which said: “She played flute beautifully, cooked the best cakes, had an amazing talent in her profession as a hairdresser, was kind and caring to people of all ages and loved animals – especially dolphins.”

She described how the teenager would dres up and and put on make-up to go out one minute, only to then join in a game of football outside the next.

She also loved going on holiday even wearing her bikini under her clothes on the way there just to jump in the sea at the earliest opportunity.

Mourners were also told how Megan was a ‘lover of all things Titanic’ and how one of her dreams was fulfilled last year when her parents took her to the Titanic museum in Belfast.

“Dawn, Martin and James said what a privilege and honour it was to have been a part of her life, there were lots of adventures along the way,” Rev Farmer said.

The service also heard a tribute from Megan’s one-time foster carer Jenny, who said: “She was loved by everyone who knew her, especially myself. Megan will always have a place in my heart.”

Shorter messages from friends, who had written in a book of remembrance, were then read out with some of the words and phrases used to describe the teenager including ‘helpful’, ‘wonderful’, ‘kind’, ‘caring’, ‘vibrant’ and ‘full of life’.

Close friend Jade held back tears as she paid her own impromptu tribute to Megan, saying: “After bursting into my life I couldn’t really see a life without her being there.”

She added: “She was always encouraging me to do things I never thought I would.”

The service featured some of Megan’s favourite hymns ‘All things bright and beautiful’ and ‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’, and a slide-show with pictures of her as a child. while ‘Dancing with the Angels (Megan’s Song)’ by Hightide Blues poignantly played out. Rev Farmer provided a heartfelt final address saying: “She was taken away far too early in an unexpected, unplanned and definitely unwanted way.

“I imagine from everyone here there was a barrage of emotions and there still is.”

The service ended to the sound of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ by Celine Dion, which featured on the soundtrack of the 1997 Titanic film. Mourners were given bulbs to take away and plant in memory of Megan as they left the church.

A wake was held at Graham’s Place restaurant nearby and donations were received for OCR Marine Conservation and Forest Dog Rescue.

Ashley Foster, aged 24, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged in connection with Megan’s death.

He has admitted one count of preventing a burial but denied the charge of murder. He is due to stand trial in January.