Tragic crash victim Wilson Sherrard made collarettes for loyal orders

Mr Sherrard, an artist and family man who specialised in making collarettes for the loyal orders had been on a return journey from Belfast, when the car in which he was travelling was in a collision with a van on the Foreglen Road, Claudy.

Mr Sherrard had been in Belfast completing work on a batch of collarettes that had been ordered by Loyal Orders in Scotland.

He famously designed the special Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013 collarette worn by the Orangemen of the City Grand during that landmark year.

Victor Wray, a former Grand Master of the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge, said the wider community has been stunned by Mr Sherrard’s tragic death. “Wilson was a great friend of all the Loyal Orders in the city,” said Mr Wray. “Our condolences obviously go out to his family and his wife Ann.”

DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: “Wilson Sherrard was a gentleman who was well known and respected within the community. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. “My deepest sympathy and prayers go to the Sherrard family at this sad time.”

UUP Councillor Mary Hamilton said: “I knew Wilson, I know his wife nad his mother-in-law and my thoughts and prayers are with them all, they must be devastated at this time.” She passed on her condolences on behalf of the UUP in Londonderry.