Elsegem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Willy Naessens, 86 years old, founder of the Willy Naessens Group, will be buried in Elsegem. His funeral is on April 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Singer Christoff will perform. The public farewell drew 1,500.
Willy Naessens, one of Flanders’ entrepreneurs, will be buried at Elsegem, a Belgian municipality located within the East Flanders province, Belgium. Naessens was 86 when he died. He will be laid to rest at 11:00 AM at the Sint-Mauruskerk. The procession will start at 10:30 AM in a horse-drawn carriage.
The ceremony is for family and friends only, but the public can watch it live on screens at the church square and his stud farm, Stoeterij De Strohoeve. Flemish singer Christoff will perform a musical tribute during the ceremony.
How will Flanders remember Willy Naessens, the 86-year-old entrepreneur?
After the funeral, guests will gather at De Strohoeve for a simple bread meal. This was requested by Naessens, who wanted his farewell to be humble and simple. The press has been asked to respect the privacy of the ceremony. They can’t film or use drones inside or above the church. A press room has been set up at Elsegemplein 17a.
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, a public farewell was held at the Stoeterij. More than 1,500 people came to pay their respects. They mentioned that Naessens was known for his generosity, straightforward character, and dedication to his community.
Willy Naessens was born in Elsegem on February 14, 1939. He started working as a miller’s laborer with his father. He later raised chickens and traded animal feed. This helped him learn about business. He got into construction by chance. This turned into a big company called the Willy Naessens Group. It does industrial construction and the food business.
In 2023, it was named Company of the Year. Naessens started building swimming pools when he made one for his cousin. He had the same problem 3 times. He saw a business opportunity and specialized in building pools. This made his company more successful.
Willy Naessens loved horses. He had a stud farm called De Strohoeve in Elsegem. It was a place for events, including the reception after his funeral. He was often seen at Waregem Koerse, a big horse race in Flanders. He helped with the events and started a fun competition called the “Hat Trophy”.
