It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) David Roberts on January 6th, 2019. Bill was surrounded by his loving wife Wanda & daughter Cristin and her fiancée Emmanuel. He sailed out on heavenly seas to God’s harbor.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Roy & Dorothy, sisters Lorna Latondress (William), Ann Earle (Melvin), and his brothers Pat and Jack. He will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews and friends.
Bill was a gentle soul & a true gentleman. His interests included playing the bagpipes with local pipe bands and talking with friends over a coffee especially on topics of music, art, history and lake boats.
He was lovingly dedicated to his wife and daughter & took on his leukemia treatment challenges with brave perseverance so that he could be here to look after his girls. He fought very hard but lost the battle. We pray that the soul of this departed “Gentle Giant” will now rest in peace in God’s loving embrace.
Cremation will take place. A Memorial Service with Reverend S. Derek Shelly officiating will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion 21 Veterans Way, Huntsville, ON, February 2nd, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Legion.
We look forward to seeing all of you there as we share great stories and wonderful memories of a man who touched all our hearts.
As your expression of sympathy, a memorial donation can be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, allocated to the Leukemia Research Fund at www.thepmcf.ca.
Messages of condolences can be made at www.mitchellfuneralhome.ca
We would like to thank the nurses and staff at Princess Margaret Hospital Hematology Department, the Royal Victoria Hospital Regional Cancer Centre, the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital and Dr. Sanjay Jindal for all the wonderful and compassionate care given to Bill.
Lisa Witvoet (Hildebrand)
Wanda and Cristin,
What a beautiful man with such a kind heart. Praying for strength and peace as you grieve.
Queenie Finley
Dear Wanda, You and Cristin are in our thoughts and prayers, we just wanted to let you know. Sending our deep sympathy to both of you and your family. Queenie and Floyd Finley.
Betty Ann Spears
Condolences to you and Cristin on the passing of Bill. Thoughts and prayers go out for you and hope that the wonderful memories that you share, will help you through this difficult time.
Sincerely Betty Ann
J. R. Bruce Cassie
Dear Wanda and Cristin – please know that your loss is felt throughout the entire Muskoka Meadows Community and beyond. Bill was special and his humanity shone through. Recently, when Bill was walking on Woodstream Drive, I called him over to my sister and brother-in-law’s place on Woodstream, hoping to introduce Bill. In minutes, Bill and Rick Bywater were sharing tales of Midland where both had such vivid memories. When Bill continued on his walk, my brother-in-law remarked, “People like Bill are what neighbourhoods are all about. What a fine gentleman!” Yes, this is the Bill all of us will miss and we want you to know your loss is ours too. May memories of Bill strengthen you in the days and weeks ahead just as your love strengthened Bill throughout his battle with leukemia.
Roseanne Spataro
Dear Wanda and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. You have both been in my thoughts and prayers since our last meeting at RVH. It was lovely to have shared conversation with the two of you even if for a brief moment. I pray you find comfort in the love and support that surrounds you at this time and may Bill rest in eternal peace.
Sincerely,
Roseanne Spataro
and family
Cathy and Mitchell Cowan and family
Wanda and Cristin, our deepest sympathies on your loss of a great husband and a wonderful father. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad and difficult time.
Maria Duncalf-Barber
My dear Wanda and Cristin please accept our heartfelt condolences on the death of your sweet kind husband and father.
Bill was a wonderful husband and father, and each time he looked at you both, the love for you two shone brightly in his twinkling proud eyes.
Bill was a great natural storyteller and he could flash a lovely bright smile at the stories conclusion.
He had a way with words and a wonderful disposition that was full of love.
We will never forget your kindness when you gifted us with a piper at our wedding when you were our guests.
Thank you
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
It was a gift to have known Bill and many blessings are sent to you
with friendship xxx
Sail on Bill.
Maria Duncalf-Barber and Peter Barber
Carolyn Reinhart
Dear Wanda and family,
I send my condolences and love to you as you grieve the loss of your dear Bill. I only met you briefly a few times but remember you and our short conversations.
Carolyn Reinhart
Bonnie and John Gunter
Wanda and Cristin we are sad to hear of Bill’s passing. We will miss talking to him as he was so easy to talk with. Reading the above messages we can see why. Please know we are thinking of you with caring thoughts. Bonnie and John Gunter.
Ron and Joanne Fincham
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Hold on to each other, remember the good times and above all hold on to God who will see you through.
Miriam and Len Luddington
Our condolences to you Wanda and Cristin on the passing of Bill. We always enjoyed our visits and chats with Bill over the years and will remember him fondly.
Lawrence & Marjorie Wickman
Wanda and Cristin I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you both Marjorie
Miriam Bell
Q. What do you get when you have Dr. Jim Bell, a Queen’s Scout knotter, and Bill Roberts, a laker pilot, towing a canoe behind their houseboat on Lake Temagami?
A. One untied, blowin’ in the wind canoe. Oh the memories! With lots of love, Miriam
Elva Clayton
Wanda and Cristin, our sincere sympathy to both of you for your loss of a husband and father. Our thoughts are with you. John and Elva Clayton
Ann Kerckhoff
Sincere condolences to Wanda and Cristin from Ann and Enno.
Judy
Oh the memorable stories and jolly laughter. I will miss him greatly but thankful for the wonderful memories, cousin and aunt.
“Which way you goin’ Billy, can I come too?” The Poppy Family song I would sing at age 9 as he was married to my beautiful Aunt Wanda. I suppose he would be glad it’s a Canadian band.
My cousin Cristin words cannot express the loss of your Dad, hugs to you.
Manny you are and will always be a welcomed addition to this wonderful family, so sorry for the loss of your father-in-law.
Jane Radey
Wanda and Cristin,
My sincere condolences on the loss of Bill. My heart is with you both.
Jane
Miriam Bell, Ottawa
Q. What do you get when you have Dr. Jim Bell, a Queen’s Scout, and Bill Roberts, a Great Lakes pilot, towing a figure eight knotted canoe behind their houseboat on Lake Temagami? A. One untied , unaccounted for canoe, tossing in the wind. Oh the wonderful memories! with my love, Miriam.
Pat Snider
Wanda and Cristin: So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I did not see him often but it was always a delight when I did.
He had such great stories and was one of the nicest people I have ever met.
Susan and Doug Baranik
To Wanda and Cristin, We can not imagine what you are going through, words are never enough. Bill will always be remembered as he played his bagpipes on the houseboat in Temagami that week we were together. He was a beautiful soul, gentle, laughing and kind. One poem my cousin introduced me to always made me feel a little better. And seems appropriate for Bill.
By Henry Van Dyke
Gone From My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, “There, she is gone.”
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me — not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, “There, she is gone,”
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”
And that is dying…
Kaitlyn Mazur and Family
May the love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through this difficult time. My condolences to you and your family.
Doug and Chris McDonald
Dear Wanda and Cristin, I first met Bill 21 years ago when I took up the bagpipes with The Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drums. Bill immediately took me under his wing and taught me bagpipe maintenance and helped me blow in reeds with his “machine” that he had in your garage, an invaluable assistance to any piper. Bill was always friendly and regaled me with stories from his youth and working the ships on The Great Lakes, most of them having a humorous slant to them!
We are sorry for your loss. Doug and Chris McDonald
Kay Miller
Dear Wanda and Cristin,
I am very deeply sorry for your loss. I hope will find strength and courage from your deep faith and know that many are holding you close in their thoughts and prayers.
Jean Brooks
Wanda and Cristin, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of Bill. He was definitely a very gentle and kind man. Thinking of you both at this very sad time.
Jean and Bob Brooks
Gilles Bertrand
Wonda and Cristin ours and prayers are with you. Bill was an amazing man. He helped the Bracebridge Pipe Band a lot. He will be missed.
Anne Marie Switzer and Vivian Stronach
Cristin and Wanda, we are sad to hear of Bill’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Kristylee Johns
Cristin And Wanda my prayers and thoughts, support are with you all .
Graeme Hourie
My condolences to the Roberts family. I remember Bill waiting for Cristin every day when the school bus would pull up to pick Cristin up and drop her off. He never missed a single day. Thoughts and prayers to you all!
Susan and Doug Wright and staff of Northern Import
We were so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. There were lots of stories told in the office when he dropped in to visit. His world was his family and I know you will all miss him. We are thinking of you all and holding you in our hearts and prayers. If you need anything, please let us know.
Michel
My prayers include you and your family
Becky & Helsel Family
Cristin and Wanda we are sad to hear of Bill’s passing. Please know uou are our hearts, thoughts and prayers.