Billy Conway was born into the pub trade in December 1930 and was raised in Conways bar which was run at the time by his father Kieran. As a teenager he started working in the bar and took over the running of the premises in his late teens when his father became ill. He managed the family business, which consisted of a bar and a small grocery shop for several decades until he sold it to the Reidy family in 1993.
In a remarkable coincidence Billy Conway passed away as his successor at the Parliament Street premises, Eamon Reidy was being lowered into the ground.
Mr Conway married Breda (nee Hurley) in the mid sixties and the couple moved to Dominic Street. They have three children Sean (Chester), Liam (Kells) and Mairead Smith (Gowran).
At his funeral Mass, his son Sean revealed a treasured secret known to few who knew him that his late father was also a closet poet who penned many a love poem to his beloved wife during his lifetime.
He was also a lifelong member of the Kilkenny Vintners Association and held the position of treasurer. He also enjoyed a huge interest in music and was a longstanding member of the St Mary's Choral Society. He will be remembered by his loved ones as a man of good fun with a wry sense of humour.
He died at St Columba's Hospital on Wednesday (July 21), where he was resident for a number of years following a short illness. He was waked at home on Friday and his funeral took place at St Mary's Cathedral on Saturday. He was laid to rest at Foulkstown cemetery.
He is survived by his brothers Ollie (Purcellsinch) and Jimmy (Riverside Drive) and his sister Josephine Lennon.