FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. W. LAY
Our oldest tradesman who passed away peacefully on the previous Tuesday, was laid to rest on Friday afternoon in the cemetery. The remains were followed by members of the family including Mr. John Hopson (son-in-law), Mr. Herbert Hopson, Mr. F. C. Hopson, Mr.  Montague Hopson, and Mr. Tuck (grandsons).

Mr. Councillor Joseph Hopson (son-in-law), was prevented from attending through indisposition. A few friends of the deceased gathered round the open tomb to join in the service, including Alderman Lucas, Mr. Cosburn, &c.

The burial service was impressively conducted by the Rev. E. H. Titchmarsh, pastor of the Congregational Church, at which Mr. Lay was a regular attendant till within a short time of his decease.

Numerous wreaths and crosses were placed upon the coffin from relatives and friends, including Mr. and Mrs. Hopson, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Hopson, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Hopson, Mr. and Mrs. Tuck and family, Mr. F. Tuck, Mr. A. Attewell, and Mr. Cosburn.

The late Mr WC Lay.

The town has lost one of its oldest inhabitants in the removal of Mr William C Lay, whose death occurred on Tuesday morning. The deceased who had attained the venerable age of nearly 93 years was one whose associations were entirely with the past, his early life being spent under conditions which have now ceased to exist. By the older residents in our town he is were remembered as a coach proprietor, and previously opening of the Berks. and Hants line in 1847, his dark blue coach was a familiar object on the road between Newbury and Reading. Mr Lay also carried on a drapery business, his establishment forming part of the premises now occupied by Mr Wintle. He was appointed on the opening of the Newbury Line , parcels agent to the railway company and entering moreover into the Coal trade, his life, even off the road was by no means devoid of activity. Of a most genial disposition, Mr Lay was one of the best known tradesmen in Newbury, and although increasing infirmities of age of compelled him of late years to withdraw from active participation in local affairs he retained until a short time before his death the use of his bodily functions. We understand the funeral will take place tomorrow (Friday).

DEATH OF A NONAGENARIAN
The serious illness of Mr. W. C. Lay was recently referred to in the Mercury. He was almost the oldest inhabitant of Newbury, and special interest was felt in him from the fact of his being one of the few remaining links between the old coaching days and the present times. 

Last week Mr. Lay gradually became weaker, and passed peacefully away on Tuesday morning in the presence of his daughter (Mrs. Joseph Hopson) and other relatives, at his residence in Cheap-street. He had reached the advanced age of 94 years.

As previously mentioned, he ran a coach daily between Newbury and Reading prior to the construction of the G.W. Railway, when “Lay’s Coach” was familiar to travellers as a favourite means of transit between the two towns, although, of course, not a few persons were accustomed to book themselves by the more important four-horse coaches which ran through Speenhamland between the Metropolis and Bath.

Mr. Lay was buried in the Cemetery yesterday (Friday) afternoon, when the mourners included: Mr. John Hopson (son-in-law), Mr. Joseph Hopson, jun., Mr. F. C. Hopson, Mr. Montagu Hopson, and Mr. Tuck (grandsons). Councillor Joseph Hopson, J.P. (son-in-law), was prevented attending through illness. Alderman Lucas, Mr. Cosburn, and other friends of the deceased were also present.

The burial service was impressively conducted by the Rev.  E. H. Titchmarsh, pastor of the Congregational Chapel, Northbrook-street.
The coffin was covered with floral wreaths and crosses from relatives and friends.