RIP Coach Bill
On behalf of Mt Forest Minor Hockey, we would like to send our condolences to Christine, Abby, Lexi and family on the passing of their husband, father, son and brother, Bill Walker.
Bill has been a fixture at the Mt Forest Sports Complex as a coach for many years and will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Coach Bill!
Bill Walker, 53, of Mount Forest, passed away peacefully at Louise Marshall Hospital on Aug. 28, 2017 following a brief battle with cancer. Dear husband and best friend of Christine Rivet and loving Dad of Abby and Lexi at home. Devoted son of Bill and Barb Walker of Mount Forest and formerly of Stoney Creek. Cherished son-in-law of Blanche Rivet and much-loved brother of Laureen Rivet and Chris August of Santa Fe, N.M. and Murray Townsend and Axy Leighl and their families.
Bill was the long-time sports editor and an award-winning journalist at the Owen Sound Sun-Times where his unimpeachable ethics — dogged pursuit of truth, fairness and accuracy — no doubt ruffled a few feathers in the local sports community.
He loved sports — almost as much as he loved his family — especially hockey. He covered it. He played it and coached it. The latter activity proved a most-enlightening endeavour providing him with way too many insights into the world of the Ontario Hockey League coaches he covered.
Bill, a true gentleman with a wicked sense of humour (sometimes inappropriately so), was a lifelong Springsteen fan who dragged his groaning family across international boundaries in hopes of converting them — which he did at last.
He will be sadly missed by his many friends, colleagues, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Our hearts are shattered. But we shall endure, thankful for the all-too-brief time he added unending laughter to our days and lit up our dark nights with his enduring love. We shall press on with Bill’s three-part blueprint for life — Be Kind. Work Hard. Take care of your family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to an education trust fund for Bill’s children, Abby and Lexi, or to the local Cancer Patient Services would be appreciated. Visitation will be held at the England Funeral Home Ltd., Mount Forest on Thursday, August 31st, 2017 from 7 – 9 p.m. and on Friday from 10 – 11 a.m. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11 a.m. (Hope you don’t mind Springsteen!)
“When they built you brother, they turned dust into gold. When they built you brother, they broke the mold.” — Bruce Springsteen