On April 25th, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, William Pargeter (otherwise known as Bill “I answer to both”) parachuted into the arms of the Lord. He was the son of the late William and Nelly (Bryant) Pargeter. For 14 years he has dreamt of joining his wife Dorothy (Dunn) in eternal life. Bill was the eldest of many siblings who reside in the glorious warmth of North Carolina: Predeceased by Rose (Larry) Barnes, Betty (Bill) King, Mary (Max) Bell, Alice (Ken) Nealey and survived by brother Michael (Charlene) Pargeter. Bill was a man of deep faith who carried himself with humble dignity.
Unknown to many was his remarkable life. Born in 1930 in the United States of America, he grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina and Woodstock, Ontario Canada. As a young man, he joined the 11th Airborne Division of the United States Army where he mastered jumping out of airplanes with only a parachute and a Hail Mary. Due to his great success at this talent, he was trusted to test a new model of parachute requiring a jump from 1000 feet, an adventure that left him always longing for one more jump. He returned to Woodstock, Ontario where apprenticed as a furrier. He became a master at his craft of hand sewing fur coats, a legacy that is still worn by many. Bill was a champion for Catholic Education. Many of the Catholic Schools in Oxford County attribute their existence to his hard work and still display his name in their front halls. He was an active member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church, spending many years as a devoted Server and Sacristan.
He lived for a good fishing trip with Bill Jr. at Turkey Point. After closing Reed’s Furriers, he maintained a military like regiment of enjoying the sun, praying the rosary, listening to music, watching the stock market, exercising and the occasional sip of whiskey. Bill was predeceased by his son William (Jill) Pargeter and will be deeply missed by daughter Deborah (Tom) Woodall, and son Michael Keller. He has left his grand daughters Natasha (Matteo) Contestabile and Virginia (David) Charlesworth and his 7 great grandchildren Sebastian, Therese, Isaiah, Augustine, Elijah, Beatrice and Pio with a lifetime of love, legacy and laughter. We trust, in the Lord’s loving kindness, that Bill has finally received that “one last jump” into heaven where he is greeted by his 4 baby great grandchildren, who are enjoying cuddles from Little Grem, and big hug from Bill Jr.
Friends and family are invited to Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Visitation from 10:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M. Funeral mass at 11:30 A.M. with lunch to follow. Interment will be at 2:00 P.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic cemetery. We thank all the staff of the Palliative Unit at Woodstock General Hospital who treated Bill with the utmost kindness. Finally, we thank the staff and residents of Oxford Gardens who made Bill’s last 2 years truly fabulous. Although he mostly spoke of the amazing food, he was truly loved by his Oxford Garden’s Family. Donations can be made to Holy Trinity Building Fund through Smith LeRoy Funeral home.
Personal condolences may be sent at www.smithleroy.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bill Pargeter..
Death notice for the town of: Woodstock, Province: Ontario