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Mr. William "Bill" Smith

March 17, 1937 – October 26, 2018

Mr. William Smith
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Obituary for Mr. William "Bill" Smith

Mr. William “Bill” McIvor Smith, age 81 years, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Bill was born in Fort William on March 17, 1937, the youngest child of James and Jesse Smith. James, Jesse and his two older brothers, Alan and Robert, emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1929, after which they had three more children, Christina, Jerry and Bill.

Bill attended Francis Street School and Selkirk High School and went to work at Johnson and Boon as a teenager. He later delivered pop for Doran's Brewery. From there he went to Great Lakes Paper, retiring from Bowater as a boss machine tender after 39 1/2 years of service.

Bill met Sharon while working at Johnson and Boon when they were still teenagers. After dating for 8 years they got married in 1962. This past September they celebrated 56 years of marriage.

Bill was always active; playing hockey, camping, bowling, curling, fishing and hunting. He enjoyed children, animals of all kinds, and birds. He especially loved his granddogs. Bill was well known for his sense of humour. He was always teasing, joking and “getting others going”.

Having a family was Bill's greatest accomplishment, first as a dad to his 2 daughters Sherri and Shelly. He was so proud of them. He was there for every school or church event and for every life milestone.

Bill was the most ecstatic grandfather ever. He waited a long time for his first-born grandson Cory and was so happy when his 2 granddaughters Sierra and McKayla soon followed. He was there from each of their first moments and never missed a sporting event, dance performance or school event. He was their biggest cheerleader.

Bill was a favourite uncle to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; attending their special events and always thinking of them. Many kids also adopted Bill as their grandpa or uncle and he went to their events as often as his own family's.

His favourite days were spent anywhere with family, travelling, camping, on the lake, at a hockey game or at home around the dinner table.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Sharon (nee: Walberg); daughters Sherri (Al) Pharand and Shelly (Joe) Gaudreau; and grandchildren Cory Pharand, Sierra and McKayla Gaudreau. He also leaves his brothers Alan (Lorraine) Smith and Jerry Smith (Carole Erickson), as well as many nieces, nephews great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents James and Jesse Smith; sister Christina “Chrissy” Elvish; brother Robert “Bert” Smith; sisters-in-law Margaret, Kay and Mildred “Millie” Smith; and mother & father-in-law Edwin “Ed” and Rose Walberg.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 in St. Thomas Anglican Church at 11:00am with Rev. Jonathan Blanchard officiating. Interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Northern Cardiac Fund, St. Thomas Church Family Giving Centre or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com

Visitation

When Monday, October 29th, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location
Everest of Thunder Bay - Westfort Chapel
Address
Location Information
420 West Gore Street at James, one block south of Frederica

Service Information

When
Tuesday, October 30th, 2018 11:00am
Location
St. Thomas Anglican Church
Address
Location Information
1400 Edward Street South