TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Cradley Heath funeral director who "everyone knew."

Trevor Hickton died peacefully at home on Saturday September 28 surrounded by his children and sister after a long and private battle with prostate cancer.

The 69-year-old father-of-three ran Hickton Family Funeral Directors - the firm was founded by his grandfather Joe Hickton, who was a well-known carpenter, builder, undertaker, local counsellor and one-time Mayor of Rowley Regis, in 1909.

Bill Hickton (left) with Pat and Trevor Hickton Bill Hickton (left) with Pat and Trevor Hickton (Image: Handout)

Trevor joined the family business at the age of 18 and inherited it after his father Bill died in 2000.

Since its humble beginnings in Cradley Heath it has grown into one of the leading funeral directors in the West Midlands and Worcestershire with branches in Cradley Heath, Halesowen, Bartley Green, Castle Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Codsall and Kidderminster.

Trevor leaves three children Ross, Greg and Jodie, who all run the business.

From left to right: Greg, Trevor, Jodie and Ross Hickton From left to right: Greg, Trevor, Jodie and Ross Hickton (Image: Handout)

Trevor's children said they have been overwhelmed by the reaction to his death, with scores of tributes pouring in.

They said: "Everybody knew our dad. We have been inundated with messages of support.

"It's a standing joke that his school must be the biggest in the country, as everyone went to school with our dad"

"His loss will leave a huge hole in the family, the business and the community.

"Everyone is welcome to the funeral and wake - all those who knew dad knew he loved a party, and we will be celebrating his life.

"He was really proud of us, his children for joining the firm and working to expand it, allowing dad to take a back seat in recent years and oversee us following in his footsteps of passionately caring for the local communities - as he always did."

Ross said Trevor was diagnosed with prostate cancer 15 years ago.

He said: "He battled through it for all those years and kept it very private as he didn't want anyone to know"

"He had made the decision to stop treatment as his mobility reduced and quality of life was no longer as it used to be."

A fundraiser has been started on JustGiving to raise funds for The Dogs Trust in Trevor’s memory.

He was a supporter of the trust, sponsoring many dogs over the years and also The Donkey Sanctuary, where he used to visit the sanctuaries over the UK.

The fundraiser states: "Trevor always loved animals, especially dogs where he had six a one point.

"He was also extremely passionate about his horses, racehorses, and donkeys. Along with being a supporter and season ticket holder for many years at Aston Villa"

Animal-lover Trevor Hickton Trevor Hickton loved animals, especially horses, dogs and donkeys (Image: Handout)

More than 200 tributes have been left online.

Julie Parsons said: "Trevor was thought of highly and made a difference to many people’s lives."

Chelsea Hudson said: "God bless you Trevor, you were an amazing gentleman with the purest heart of gold.

"It was a pleasure to have met you and know you, you’ll be deeply missed."

The funeral will be held on Saturday October 12 at Rowley Regis Crematorium, at 11am followed by a celebration of Trevor’s life at the Earls Suite at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill.

In lieu of flowers, donations are accepted for The Dogs Trust and The Donkey Sanctuary.

A condolence book is currently open at the funeral home on Lower High Street, Cradley Heath, should anyone wish to leave a message or memory.