SMITH, WILLIAM (BILL) ARTHUR Bill passed away peacefully with family by his side at Princess Gardens Peterborough on August 1, 2021 in his 100th year.
He was the beloved husband of Margaret who passed away in 2011 after 70 years of marriage, and dear friend and soulmate of Katherine Collins for the past 5 years. Bill was born in Brantford Ontario on November 9, 1921, the eldest of 5 boys to the late Henry and Etta May Smith. He spent his high school years in Toronto, where at the young age of 12 he learned to cook and make pies for his family after his mother’s untimely passing. He fell in love with Margaret, and they married in October 1941. He volunteered for military service with the Toronto Scottish Regiment in March 1941. He was captured in the Dieppe Raid of August 1942, and spent the following 3 years in German Prisoner of War camps. His son (Bill) was the first Canadian child born to a father who was a POW in Nazi Germany, in January 1943. Following Bill’s discharge and return to Canada in June 1945, daughter Jacqueline arrived in March 1946, and son Bob in March 1947. Bill attended Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute in Toronto and his first job was as a mailroom boy at Massey Harris until his enlistment.
After his return from military service, and a short time at Massey Harris, he held accountancy positions at Ritchey Supply, Addison Industries and McCann Erickson, all of Toronto, and achieved his Chartered Professional Accountant designation from the University of Toronto along the way. Loving father of Bill (Mary), Jacqueline (Ted) and Bob (Sue); dear brother of Doug Smith, and the late Ralph and Donald Smith, and Ted Williams; loved grandfather of Daren Smith (Kyla), Kevin Smith (Aline), Melanie Lewis (Drew), the late Vicki Johnson (Miles), Jennine Jordan (Bert), Teddi Brown, Geoff Smith, Andrea Smith (Dennis), Marcus Smith (Melissa), Rebecca Amer (Eric) and Laura Amer (Frederic); and adored great-grandfather of Callum, William, Jack, Emma, Ellie, Charlotte, Elaine, Micah, Luke, Austin, Paige, Reece, Timothy, Avery, Noah, Malia, Yazmeen, Timothé and Samuel.
Also loved by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations to Community Living Toronto-Scarborough branch would be gratefully acknowledged. Funeral Service will be held at HIGHLAND PARK FUNERAL CENTRE 2510 Bensfort Rd., Peterborough on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
Due to Covid-19 Restrictions, space is limited. To register to attend the service or to watch it via livestream you may do so by going on Bill’s obituary at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com Registration for the service will open Thursday, August 5th. Face Coverings are mandatory. Online condolences may be made at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com