It is with profound sadness that our family announces that William Robert Keith (Bill) McClure, age 75, of Chesley, grudgingly relented to death on Saturday, April 15, 2017, after a spirited battle with liver cancer. Dad always loved a good race. He has run his final lap and triumphantly passed the finish line. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV)
Bill was born August 17, 1941 in Chesley to Jim and Donalda McClure, joining siblings Jean, Donald, Elizabeth, Dave and Jim, later to be joined by Scott and Jessie. He married Faye Bell on December 28, 1963 in Desboro. The two embarked on a lifetime of faithful service to their community in the areas of business, local government, provincial and federal politics, and church activities, making countless other contributions big and small to the town they love.
He is survived by his devoted wife Faye of Chesley, daughter Melodie and her husband John of Stratford, and their children Mercedes and Majesta; daughter Marsha and her husband Ron, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and their children Kate and husband Anil, Dan, Sarah, Matt and Sam; daughter Mary Jill of Stratford, and her children Connor, Carter and Crosby; son Bill and his wife Kim, of Te Teko, New Zealand, and their children Ben and Emily; son Bob and his wife Alexis of Chesley, and their children Cole, Ceilidh and Anna; daughter Majesta and her husband Wayne, of Peabody, and their children Leah, James and Ewan; and son Boyd and his wife Erin, of Lakeside, and their son Reid.
Bill was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Jean McCurdy McPhedron and Elizabeth Wathke.
We have donated Dad’s body to medical science, so his final achievement will be his role as teacher and mentor to the anatomy students at the University of Western Ontario.
Honouring Bill’s wishes, a private celebration of life has taken place.
Bill’s family extends its sincerest thanks to the following organizations for their compassionate care: Chesley Hospital, CCAC, and The Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce. We are grateful to the family members and many friends who have supported and loved Bill and all of us through this difficult journey. Donations may be made to The Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce, Chesley Hospital Foundation, or the charity of your choice.
His legacy to his children includes his love of a good joke, good-natured teasing, a passion for reading and explaining how things worked to us, never being able to beat him at euchre or a foot race, and his legendary Sunday night homemade French Fries. The Book of Psalms was a source of inspiration, wisdom and comfort for Bill throughout his eventful life. Psalm 100 speaks of mirth, singing, service, and humbly relying on God’s provision and timeless mercy. Those who knew him will agree that he did his best to live out these virtues.
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
Come ye before him and rejoice.
Know, that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid he did us make:
We are his flock, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
O enter then his gates with praise,
Approach with joy his courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
