THE HEARTBROKEN family of Olly Stephens has paid tribute to their son as a 'loving, caring, funny soul' as hundreds lined the street for his funeral today.

Olly Stephens died after being stabbed in a park in Emmer Green in January.

Today his family, friends, and many others touched by his tragic death turned out for the 13 year old's funeral.

ALSO READ: Mourners line the streets for funeral of 13-year-old stabbing victim Olly Stephens

As part of the service, held privately inside for family but played on speakers outside Reading Crematorium, an emotional tribute written by Olly's father Stuart Stephens was read - titled our boy Oliver.

It said: "Olly left the house with a spring in his step, laughter in his heart and a “love you” to Mum. We will remember him this way.

"What happened next was the stuff of nightmares, a knock on the door shattered our lives with the force of a baby Rhino. No one should have to receive news like this or deal with a situation as horrific.

"But we are blessed, the time we shared with Oliver is our most precious gift."

Reading Chronicle:

Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their respects to Olly

The tribute described Olly as an 'enigma, a square peg in a round hole, a puzzle to be solved, a teenager'.

The father's words continued to speak about Olly having autism and how they spoke of it as a 'superpower'.

It said: "Turns out his gift was the power of love.  All of you here are testimony to this, we have all come for Olly.

"Oliver touched so many lives without either us or himself knowing it, we now know.

"Olly would be embarrassed by all this fuss and question it in his own way."

The father described the teenager's love of music and his memories of 'belting out Wonderwall' with his son. He spoke of his dreams of winning the lottery, and Olly's recent joy in finding out about a Stephens family pregnancy.

He said: "We are at a loss but so thankful for the time we had with him. We are so grateful to all of his friends that are suppling us with pictures, videos, and music that he liked, more pieces to the Olly puzzle."

ALSO READ: Social media users could be ‘breaking the law’ by sharing material relating to Oliver Stephens

Adding: "Please remember Olly as a loving, caring, funny soul who would stick up for the underdog, who would never back down from injustice, prejudice, inequality or cruelty.

"We will, God bless you son.

"Be a wolf and not a sheep, float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, fly so very high.

"We love you Olly."

The father also thanked family, neighbours, friends, work, the local community, St Barnabus Church, the Street Pastors, police, and their rugby and angling communities for the support.

Reading Chronicle:

Single red roses were placed on the hearse as a nod to Olly's favourite colour being red