A HEARTBROKEN family has paid tribute to their “loveable rogue” who had “a big smile which lit up every room”.

Hereford Rugby Club player Billy Grisman, 30, was found dead at his city home in Everest Crescent, Kings Acre, on Sunday after police launched a missing person’s appeal over the weekend.

Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

Many tributes to the popular player were posted on Facebook remembering a young man with a “huge personality” and an “infectious smile”.

His brother Jez, 36, said: “I don’t think there is anybody out there who would have a bad word to say about him.

"He was the loveable rogue.

“He didn’t have a bad bone in his body. He just loved being with people.”

Billy, who went to St Paul’s and Bishops, was a keen sportsman and a regular first team player for Hereford Rugby Club, where he started playing when he was 17.

Jez also played for the club and their dad, Gus, 59, played for the club for 25 seasons before finishing 11 years ago.

Billy also played a season at Luctonians.

Gus said he was a “pleasure to watch on the pitch” and mum Anita said he made a difference to the game when he was playing.

He moved out of his parents’ house five months ago to live with a friend.

Anita, 58, said: “He loved life. He certainly fitted a lot in during his few years he was here.”

Gus said: “He was always rushing about. He was like a whirlwind. He had the best smile and a twinkle in his eye.”

When Billy left school he did an apprenticeship at Domestic and General Insulation before working as a gas engineer for British Gas. He then went self-employed before working for the last year at SSE.

His sister, Jojo Pilkington, 35, said he loved partying and drinking with his friends.

He would often get lost on nights out and while away in Germany he rang his dad, who helped him navigate his way back to his hotel.

Billy loved being an uncle to Jez’s daughter Neve, 11, and to Jojo and Anthony’s sons, Alfie, four and Luca, two.

This summer he was best man at Jez’s wedding to Anna.

Jojo said: “He had a big smile which lit up every room.

“He had a heart of gold. Everybody loved him.”

Billy was last seen on Friday before he was found on Sunday afternoon.

Gus said: “It is an unfathomable moment. We can’t for the life of us think why. He always spoke to us about any problem.

“We were close – that is what we did – we shared out problems.

“The biggest thing we can’t understand is why he didn’t give us a chance.”

Chairman of Hereford Rugby Club, Ivan Powell, said: “We are shocked and saddened at the news of the tragic death of one of our brightest and most sparkling players in recent years.

“Billy was exceptionally talented. He was everything you would want in a rugby player – he was fast and powerful and absolutely fearless in a tackle.

“He was huge fun to be around. When you were on a rugby tour, the one place you didn’t want to be was in a room with Billy Grisman – there are several among us who woke up with one eyebrow missing.

“His enthusiasm for the game and his leadership was infectious. When Billy was in the team it gave the team a lift.

“We will be encouraging the players to get back in there and to be as fearless and committed as Billy would have been. We should do that for him and make him proud of us.

“Billy’s family are in our thoughts and prayers and as a club we are doing the best we can to support them at this time.”

On Facebook Adam Hume said: “He was impossible not to love and I know just how much he will be missed.”

Will Hirons wrote: “Most importantly I’ll remember you, how amazing you were and how much you managed to put a smile on everyone’s faces. You are simply irreplaceable as a friend and I’ll miss you forever.”

Frankie Morriss wrote: “Your cheeky infectious smile and huge personality will be greatly missed”, while his cousin Kyle Dovey wrote: “Life will just never be the same without you Billy Grisman.”

Jez wrote: “Still can’t believe it that you’ve left, we all love you so much, and I appreciate everything that you brought into not just my life, but everybody that knew you.

“You were a star, and let’s hope he’s made you the brightest one up there for us all to see.”