William “Bill” Henry Molson was born February 28, 1937 in Paisley, Ontario to Henry and Emma (Subject) Molson. He was the third youngest with his siblings being Pat, Wilfred, Margaret, Minnie, Mabel, Peter, Thomas, Emma and Olive. He spent his youth in Dornoch and attended Latona Public School. For the most part Bill hated school. He did not attend high school but rather went to work at a basket factory, in Mount Forest, beginning at age fourteen. Interestingly enough, his parents thought Bill was attending school at this time. Imagine!
Bill then went on to work at Reeves Construction in Mount Forest for seven and a half years. He had bought his father’s house in Williamsford and lived there for a short while then moved to Mount Forest. Bill then went on to work at CanWire in Fergus for thirty-one years, making cables and wire. Bill retired at sixty following a massive heart attack.
In 1968, Bill met his soulmate Dorothy Rose Tutton. Together they resided in Mount Forest with Dorothy’s three children, Bob, Judy and Jim. Bill always desired to make an honest woman out of her and they were married at St. James Lutheran Church, Williamsford on July 25, 1981. Dorothy wore a beautiful green dress and Bill was smart looking in a blue suit.
Even though Bill never served in the armed forces, the Mount Forest Legion was a second home to Bill. He loved to volunteer his time there as well as attending meat draws, dances, playing euchre and darts. Bill also really enjoyed Christmas, which included spoiling the kids and of course, the Christmas songs. Attending and helping out at St. James Lutheran was also an important past-time for Bill. His faith was important to him and the celebration of Holy Communion was most dear to his heart. The scripture readings that best exemplified Bill’s faith were Psalm 23 (“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.), Psalm 61 (Assurance of God’s Protection), Isaiah 40 (Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly and cry to [him] that [he] has served [his] term.”)
Aside from these activities, Bill also enjoyed going to yard sales. Together Dorothy and Bill would buy ‘stuff’ and then have to have a yard sale of their own. (Too funny!) Bill was the consummate “Trinket Guy.” He and Dorothy also loved to camp in their tent trailer, often parking in the driveway of siblings for a visit. Being a generous man and loving horses, Bill would often purchase horses for nieces and nephews. Most of his nieces and nephews remember receiving a coin from Uncle Bill when he arrived, and greeted them, at their homes. In that day and age, it was enough money to buy a pop, bag of chips and a popsicle!
Bill had a love of pigeons! He flew them in races and readied them for sale at the Keady Market. Racing, of any kind was a hobby for Bill as he attending Varney Raceway on a number of occasions. Believe it or not, liver was his absolute favourite food followed closely by Chinese. Bill seldom watched TV, preferring to read the Bible, newspaper and listen to music, especially Randy Travis. His favourite hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “Away in the Manger,” and “How Great Thou Art.” All in all, Bill loved to spend time enjoying nature – being in the woods or fishing in our incredible lakes and streams.
Bill was seldom without a twinkle in his eye. He had a grin that looked as if the cat had just swallowed the canary. He was a true jokester. Being in Bill’s presence made anyone feel good. He was always there for those in his life and made a deliberate attempt to make time for family and friends. His outgoing nature and compassion made him a good visitor. The best pieces of advice he gave were: if you work hard, you can play hard; treat people fairly and it will be returned to you; and to love family was most important (and rewarding). It was most apparent that both family and Dorothy were the most influential people in Bill’s own life.
Sadly enough, Dorothy suffered from Alzheimer’s and Bill cared for her at home for three years. When it was time for Dorothy to enter a nursing home, he spent many of his waking hours with her, caring for her as a loving companion would. Dorothy died Monday, November 22, 2010 and it broke Bill’s heart. He moved soon after to Chesley to be closer to family.
William “Bill” Henry Molson’s earthly journey ended on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Elgin Abbey, Chesley. He is now reunited with his beloved Dorothy in heaven.
He will be fondly remembered by his step-children Bob (Janette) Plant of Elora, Judy (Jim) Wright and Jim (Leanne) Plant, all of B.C., as well as their families. Bill will be sadly missed by his siblings, Pat (Phyllis) Molson of Hanover, Wilfred Molson of Owen Sound, Margaret (Harold) Henkel of Chatsworth, Minnie Leno of Durham, Mabel Subject of Niagara Falls and sister-in-law LaVerne Tiffany of Durham. Special uncle to Theressa Stade and Michael Henkel as well as many other nieces, nephews and their families. Bill was predeceased by his brothers Peter and Thomas Tiffany, sisters Emma Molson and Olive Johnson, brothers-in-law Jack Robinson, Norman Leno, John Johnson, sister-in-law Evelyn Molson, father Thomas Tiffany and his parents, Henry and Emma (Subject) Molson.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Bill’s life will be held at St. James Lutheran Church, Williamsford on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 11 a.m. Inurnment in St. James Lutheran Cemetery, Williamsford.
Memorial donations to St. James Lutheran Church, Williamsford, Canadian Diabetes Association or Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
