William Edwin Marshall July 19 1934 – Feb 17 2022
Bill Marshall passed away on February 17th in his 88th year quietly at the Avalon Retirement Lodge with his daughter Carolyn by his side. Predeceased in 2019 by his cherished wife Donna Marshall (Willis) and his son Stan in 1998. Lovingly remembered by Carolyn Derbyshire (Glenn) and his beloved grandchildren Douglas and Victoria.
Bill was born to Audrey Brawley in Orangeville, and while Audrey worked in Toronto, Bill was raised by his grandmother Louisa Brawley on Margaret Street. In his youth, Bill played lacrosse in Orangeville, and he was also a hockey goaltender. He played in the Bramalea Men’s hockey league well into his 50’s and golfed into his 80’s. Bill was a huge sports fan and was particularly looking forward to this years Daytona 500 and Kentucky Derby.
He began his career at American Airlines in 1955 where he made lifelong friends and was known to many at Pearson Airport until his retirement on “Bill Marshall Day” in 1995. He married his beauty queen Donna in Flin Flon Manitoba in 1961 and moved to Burnham Crescent in Bramalea in 1964 after Carolyn was born. Bill & Donna raised Carolyn and Stan in a wonderful neighborhood where friends became family and have stayed that way. Summers were spent in Flin Flon, and Beaver Lake Saskatchewan and it wasn’t long until Bill was a favourite there as well.
“Uncle Bill” could be found many a day picking up the neighborhood kids from school. In later years he was a house sitter extraordinaire and loved to run errands or take kids to work if it was needed. He always had special treats set aside for the neighbourhood kids and always wanted to know what they were up to. Grandpa was a big part of Doug and Victoria’s lives attending as many hockey and lacrosse games, dance recitals and graduations. Some mornings we would find him sitting on our front porch with two cartons of chocolate milk ready to spend the day with them. He was their biggest supporter in everything they did.
Donna and Bill travelled extensively to Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Bill would make friends with everyone wherever he went. After Donna’s death he returned to Orangeville and made his home at the Avalon Retirement Lodge where he was a big part of the Avalon community. We would like to thank the very caring staff of the Avalon, Comfort Keepers and St. Elizabeth Health Care who looked after Bill and we want you to know that he considered each one of you, his friends.
To honour of Bill’s lifelong love of animals, donations to the Orangeville SPCA would be appreciated.
Celebration of life will be held at the Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre 21 First St. Orangeville on Friday, March 4th, 2022 from 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm. Words of remembrance will be held at 4:30 pm.
A tree will be planted in memory of William in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bill Marshall Thursday February 17th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Orangeville, Province: Ontario