Obituary of William "Bill" Wilson, Glace Bay
William “Bill” Wilson
Glace Bay
Our family suffered an enormous loss with the passing of our beloved Bill, age 83 in the arms of his daughter and family. He passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born in Reserve Mines, Bill was the loving, devoted husband of Judith (Gilmet) Wilson. They shared 52 years of marriage together prior to Judy’s untimely passing in 2014.
None of us recovered from the overwhelming loss we suffered when Judy passed. Bill missed her immensely and continued to grieve and mourn her death until his last breath.
Bill was the son of the late Jack and Agnes (Murphy) Wilson. Bill grew up with 7 siblings with whom he often shared stories of their childhood. Family get togethers meant so much to him. Bill is survived by his daughter, Jodie Wilson (Dave Pitcher), grandsons, Jack and Beau, 3 brothers, Jack Wilson, Sydney, Eric Wilson (Lena), Reserve Mines, Jerry Wilson (Linda), Halifax, 2 sisters, Ruth Cameron, Reserve Mines, Vina Lefever (Howard) USA, sisters in law, Cindy (Tony) Barrett, Wanda Chisholm and his brother in law, Randall Gilmet.
Also there are many special nieces, nephews that he often remembered with warmth and thought of with pride and cherished with love, Lauren Barrett (Rob), Josie Barrett, Victoria Barrett, Micki Murphy, Krista Vinaught, Jade Gillis, Karla Gilmet, Aaron Wilson, Sonny Wilson, Jerome Wilson, Debbie Wilson, Tanya Wilson, Sonya Wilson, Vincent and Jack Cameron and Lynn Cameron to name a few.
Bill worked for the Dominion Coal Company until his retirement. He was a member of Holy Cross Church and attended faithfully up until his illness. Bill was a faithful man and was ever calm and serene in his Catholic beliefs.
Bill was a gunner in the Army Reserves and was very proud of the time he spent serving our country. He served in the Korean Conflict. Bill was a long time member of John Bernard Croak, Branch No. 3 Royal Canadian Legion, Glace Bay. He served as vice president and second vice president during his membership. Bill was a selfless man and always put the needs of others before his own. He spent countless time assisting veterans and fighting for their rights and benefits. Because of all his community work and involvement with veterans, Bill was recognized in 2011 with the Palm Leaf Award for Community and Legion services. It is the highest award the legion offers.
Bill was a very active man and rarely sat still. He enjoyed exercising and keeping fit by walking and boxing. Bill had a green thumb and loved to garden. He delighted in spending time with his grandsons, Jack and Beau. Bill valued family most in life and this was exhibited through all the time he spent with his 2 grandsons, entertaining them by telling stories, taking them fishing and allowing them to use him and his home as a playground.
Jack the first born spent so much time with his “Pa” that his likeness to Bill is astonishing. No words can describe the strength and perseverance that Bill displayed during his illness. He never gave up, he fought tenaciously until the end. His will to live was unshakeable because of his deep rooted love for his family.
Bill was well known and respected in his community. He was a kind hearted, vibrant person, and it was rare to ever catch him without a bright smile on his face.
There are not enough adjectives to describe what a wonderful man he was; his humbleness and kindness will be sadly missed by so many.
We know he isn’t suffering anymore and is now at peace in the Kingdom of Heaven, reunited with his dearest Judy.
Heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital ICU Unit; staff at Unit 3 East, Glace Bay Hospital, Dr. Ley, Dr. McNeil, Dr. McLaughlin, Lauren, Cindy, Tony Barrett, Amanda Pittman, Chapelle Kelly, Eric and Wilena Wilson, Allan Shaw, Eric Donovan, Max, Elizabeth Sehl, Annemarie MacGillivary and Father Norman McPhee.
Thank you to Reginald Hutchings, Peter McIsaac and the rest of the Cape Breton Regional Police Management Team, Heather, Paul Gouthro, Wanda Chisholm, Jenny Ranson, Tanya, Jerry, Linda and Sonya. To all our family, many friends, neighbours, we appreciate so much your acts of kindness and love during this difficult time. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much.
There will be no visitation or church mass. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay.
All are welcome to attend graveside prayers on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 11 a.m. in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney- Glace Bay Hwy.; Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating. A reception will be held at 16 McAdam Street, Glace Bay following the burial, all are welcome.
Memorial donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army or your local S.P.C.A.
Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca
Dad, The fact you are no longer here will always cause us pain. But you are forever in our hearts until we meet again. XOXOXO
Jodie, Dave, Jack, Beau, Bosco
