22-Apr-1926 - 14-Jan-2025
Bill passed peacefully in his sleep early Wednesday morning. His warmth, compassion, and marvellous sense of humour touched so many. An excellent listener and conversationalist, he embraced life to the fullest, loved learning new things, kept abreast of the latest global news, finances, politics, and technologies. With his wealth of knowledge, he could always be counted on for sage advice.
He made friends easily throughout his life. Bill loved golf, curling, card and board games, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, reading, working on his family tree, participating in the many Roxborough activities over the years, and spending time with friends and family. He also enjoyed watching the Toronto Blue Jays but would turn the TV off when not enamoured with their play.
Bill grew up in Toronto with older sisters, Helen and Thelma and parents, William Sr. and Mary. He excelled in sports at Forest Hill Highschool and at the University of Toronto where he graduated from Trinity College. He and his dear wife, Mary Holmes, whom he met in high school, had an enviable strong bond in everything they did through their 68 years of marriage until Mary’s passing in 2015 at The Roxborough.
While raising three boys and a daughter, they managed to enjoy an active social life of ballroom dancing, biweekly men’s and women’s bridge, live theatre, dinners with friends, hosting theme parties, and cottaging in Muskoka. Together, Bill and Mary made an excellent team renovating their various homes before it became mainstream. Bill started his career at his dad’s wholesale business which was later acquired by Lever Brothers.
Bill rose to brand manager at Lever Brothers, General Manager at High-Grade Foods, Marketing Manager at Peek Frean Biscuits, and General Manager at The Premier Trust Company. He was an active member of the Progress Club and the Toronto Board of Trade throughout. Restless in retirement, he took over a Goligers Travel franchise. This allowed Mary and Bill to enjoy many wonderful trips to a wide variety of destinations.
Bill is dearly missed by all and especially by his children Tom, Scott and Wendy; their spouses Sylvie, Cathie and Jeffrey; son Ted’s wife Heather; twelve grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and by Wanda, his amazing caregiver.
Sincerest thanks to the exceptional staff, residents and caregivers at The Roxborough for all your kindness and support.
Arrangements entrusted to Taylor Funeral Home