SMITH, William Walker “Billy”
Publish Date: Friday, 13th of February 2015
SMITH, William Walker “Billy” – Passed away peacefully on Sunday
February 8th, 2015 with family by his side. Beloved husband of the late
Edith Smith. Dear father of Wayne (Lorna), Gayle (Paul), Glynis (Tim)
and Jeff (Sylvie). Loving grandfather to Taara (Geoff), Teela (Jesse),
Tyson, Regan, Demitria, Cody (Ange), Wade, Rikki Lee (Randy) and Kelsey.
Great grandfather to Anthony, Kendahl, Adrianna and Leigha. Special
friend and brother-in-law to Richard Hawthorne and special uncle to
Jackie MacKenzie.
Pre-deceased by his parents Joseph and Elizabeth
Smith, his sister Ellen (late Edward) Kane, his brother Joseph (Ruby)
Smith, his brother Archie. Billy is survived by his sisters Agnes
(Huey) and Lilly (late Davie), sister-in-law Bev Hawthorne (late Jim)
and brother-in-law Johnny Hawthorne (Edna). He will be fondly
remembered by his many nieces and nephews.
Growing up in Belfast, N.
Ireland Bill won the amateur boxing title for four consecutive years and
went on to win the “All Ireland” and “All England” boxing title in the
same year. He also successfully bred and raced purebred greyhounds and
was also an avid fan of English Soccer and horseracing.
In 1953 he was
discharged from the U.K. Merchant Navy and followed the love of his
life, Edith to Canada where they wed in 1954. He worked for Algoma Ore
until he retired in the mid 80′s. In the early years in Wawa he started
a boxing gym with the late Gerry Russ, this gave the youths of Wawa a
chance to learn the sport. He was a lifelong member of the local Royal
Canadian Legion who continued to visit him up until his death.
The
family would like to extend their thank you to the Lady Dunn Acute Care
and Long Term Care Staff for their care and compassion over the past
three years. Especially those who went the extra mile with him since
the passing of Edith, words of thank you are not enough!!
In keeping
with their wishes, there will be a Celebration of Life for both Billy
and Edith to be announced at a later date. Memorial donations made to
the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #429, or to the Lady Dunn Health Centre
or to the Lady Dunn Long Term Care would be appreciated by the family.
As Billy would say, “May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil
knows you’re dead.” Thank you dad for the many years we had with you,
we love you and know you are now reunited with mom…xo! (Arrangements
entrusted to the P.M. Gilmartin Funeral Home, 705-856-7340).