Bill Gillis

Bill was born on December 22, 1950, in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, to Dan and Helen Gillis (née Mackenzie). He was the fourth of eleven children, growing up in a home filled with love, laughter, and a strong sense of community.

Bill spent his early years in New Glasgow, attending St. John’s School, before moving with his family to Trenton in the mid-1970s. There, he continued his education at Christ the King School and later at Trenton High School. After graduation, Bill began his career at the Hawker Siddeley Rail Car plant in Trenton, marking the start of his time in the workforce.

Driven by a passion for learning and self-improvement, Bill furthered his education by enrolling at the Straight Area Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, where he studied Stationary Engineering. Upon completing his studies, Bill worked at the Truro Hospital and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College before embarking on a career that would take him across the country. It was at the Truro Hospital where he met his beloved wife Emily.

Bill, Emily and their daughters, Tracy, and Kelly, later moved to British Columbia, where Bill took a job with Noranda. His career continued to flourish as he joined General Motors in Oshawa, Ontario, eventually relocating to London, where he worked at the Locomotion plant until his retirement.

Bill was known for his unwavering work ethic, quiet strength, and commitment to excellence—but perhaps most of all, for his sense of humor. He took great pride in providing for his family and contributing to the communities in which he lived. Beyond his professional life, Bill was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He cherished his family deeply and was always there to offer support and guidance to those he loved.

Bill was a loving and supportive father. His children knew they could count on him for encouragement and he was always there when needed.  As a grandfather, his heart grew even fuller. His grandchildren were his pride and joy — he cherished every moment spent with them, whether sharing stories, playing games, or simply offering a warm and reassuring hug.

Faith played a central role in Bill’s life. As a dedicated member of his church, he found strength and purpose in his belief and shared that faith with his community through service, compassion, and kindness. His devotion was an inspiration to those around him, and his unwavering spirit of care and generosity reflected the values he held so dear.

Bill had a deep love for sports. He spent countless hours at the Trenton Community Rink—first fundraising for its construction and then volunteering his time to help keep it running. Bill had a large circle of friends in Trenton, and he cherished them all. Family members would often hear, “How’s Billy doing?” whenever they bumped into one of his many friends. Bill also spent several years coaching softball and hockey. He had a passion for golf as well, spending many hours on the course until his illness prevented him from continuing.

Music was one of Bill’s greatest passions. Whether strumming his favorite tunes or playing for family and friends, his love for music was infectious and brought people together. The strum of his guitar, the sound of his humming, and the songs he taught became the soundtrack of his children and grandchildren’s memories that will forever echo in their hearts.

Bill also had a special place in his heart for dogs. His gentle and caring nature extended to his four-legged friends, who adored him in return. He always had treats in his pocket or the trunk of his car.  The love and loyalty between Bill and all the family pets were a reflection of his kind and compassionate spirit.

In everything he did, Bill loved to laugh and share stories of the many escapades he and his friends enjoyed over the years. His laughter was infectious, and his ability to make others smile will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Bill’s legacy of hard work, kindness, love, and laughter will forever be cherished. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Bill leaves behind his loving children Tracy (Ron) and Kelly (Gordon) and his cherished grandchildren Jordan, Kaitlyn, Baylee and Sarah.  He will be missed by his siblings Mary Coady (Ken), Yvonne Curnew, Janice Gillis, Blaise Gillis (Jan), Joan Gladney, Paula Gillis and Dan Gillis (Carrie).  Also loved by his many nieces, nephews and in-laws.  Predeceased by siblings Donald, John and Elizabeth.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be conducted at Northview Funeral Chapel and Cremation Centre, 1490 Highbury Avenue North, London, on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. For those unable to attend, a livestream of the service is available.

To view the service via the livestream, please register by clicking on the link below:

Livestream for the Memorial Service of Bill Gillis

Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Bill are asked to consider Parkinson’s Canada or the Children’s Health Foundation.