Obituary of William Ernest Smith

WILLIAM (BILL) ERNEST SMITH  02 AUGUST 1930 – 04 MARCH 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce that Bill passed away peacefully on the evening of 04 March 2024, in Guelph Ontario in his 94th year, after a very long courageous battle with cancer.

You may not be here anymore, but you're still in our hearts. Your soul lives on in the people you touched.

Survived by his Wife Patricia of 56 years. Also survived by his son Brian, son-in-law Les Inkpen,  grandchildren and great grand children, brother-in-law Keith Tucker and family who are all in England.   Predeceased by his daughter Yvonne Inkpen, Parents Ellen, and William Smith his brothers and sister.

Bill’s fun-loving happy smiles and laughs will be sadly missed by his wife and many friends. An avid dart player until his eyesight failed, but he still enjoyed many games of cribbage with his buddies.

A Veteran of The British Royal Air Force serving overseas in peacekeeping missions.

For 56 years Bill was a very active volunteer and Life Member of The Royal Canadian Legion in Guelph.  Recipient of the Legion’s highest award in Canada the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) and many  other awards.   Served as Chair of the Branch’s Clean and set-up crew for all Legion and rented hall events.

30+ years leader of Branch 234 award-winning Colour Party and Color Party Commander of the Guelph Remembrance Day Parades for many years, Chair of the Guelph Legion’s weekly Bingo supporting  local charities for 47 years.

Long time volunteer and supporter with the Legion’s Youth Track & Field Program and other Legion Youth Education programs at Branch, Zone, and District levels.  Past District-C and Zone C2 Sergeant at Arms.

With deep appreciation to our very special caring friends at the Legion always, and especially during our many times of need. Your assistance and support will never be forgotten.

Special thanks to;  Dr. Stephen Gawron, Dr. William Ruddock, Dr. Carol Thompson, Dr. Deborah Robinson, Dr. Lyndsay Evans, Dr. Matthew Lenardis, Dr. Timothy Wesley-James of Guelph and Staff of the Oncology, and emergency department Guelph General Hospital,  Dr. Kathryn Roth St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Dr. Andrea Molckovsky  at the Grand River Cancer Centre, Paramed Home Care nurses and Bayshore Home Care nurses  and the Staff of the Guelph Mobility Service for their ongoing care during Bill’s very long and painful journey with cancer.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will take place at The Royal Canadian Legion Guelph,  beginning with the Legion Tribute Service and scattering of his ashes at the memorial garden at the Legion, on Sunday 24MAR24 starting at 12.30pm until 4pm. Friends are encouraged to share photos and memories.

In memory of Bill, charitable donations to the Legion’s Homeless Veterans Program would be appreciated.  Make cheques payable to “RCL Ontario Command”, memo line – “Joe Sweeny Fund”   Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $5.  Mail to The Royal Canadian Legion 89 Industrial Parkway North,  Aurora ON L4G 4C4.  Or to the Guelph Legion and we will send in for you.