Lieut.-Colonel William (Bill) Wilson

William Grant Wilson

Born 18th December, 1932, Bill was the first of nine children of Thomas and Grace Wilson, of Bellshill, Scotland. As a child, his life centered around Home, School, S.A. Young Peoples activities, and his newspaper routes. Then in December 1946, he traded full-time studies and part-time work, for full-time work and part-time studies – the pattern for the rest of his life.

From 1953 to 1954 he served in The Royal Army Medical Corps, and in June 1953 he represented RAMC Scottish Command at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth. In 1956 he entered the ‘Faithful’ session at the I.T.C. in London. Service as a Cadet-Sergeant, then as C.O. at Kings Cross, Regent Hall Region, was followed by marriage to Lieutenant Nan Ferrie on May 16th 1959, and an appointment, with his new bride, to Hadleigh, East Anglia.

In Canada, Bill and Nan served as Corps Officers at Campbellford, Regent Park, Ottawa Citadel, and Hamilton Temple. For over twenty years Bill was involved in Officer Training and Education. He retired on January 1st, 1998, as Assistant Chief Secretary, and Cabinet Secretary.

In retirement, he supervised ‘The Open Door’ at North Toronto for seven years; committed two years to developing and directing a residential program in Northern B.C. which led to the commissioning of nine officers in 2001. He also undertook various assignments on request at C.F.O.T. Toronto, and served as Interim Executive Officer of the Canadian Staff Band for one year.

Nothing gave Bill greater joy than his family. Bill liked to joke that he taught his children how to swim, to skate and to golf; which is remarkable since he neither swam, nor skated! He felt that he had been greatly blessed, not only by his children, but by their children, and their children. He loved to create ‘silly songs’ for them, and liked to stand in front of the T.V. at cartoon time asking, “Have I ever told you about Santa Claus?” to a mixed chorus of giggles and groans.

Though not demonstrative, he was a deeply affectionate and caring man. Throughout a highly focused life, Bill’s deep sense of humour helped him not to take himself too seriously. Those who knew him at all, knew that he did, however, take his faith and his vocational obligations very seriously indeed.

He will be missed very much by his wife Nan, loving companion and constant encourager, his children Isobel (Mark), Paul (Lisa), Dave (Lori), and by his 12 grandchildren Lynn, Marci, Travis, Josh, Vangi, Stephen, Sarah, Brandon, Wesley, Jason, Noah, Katelyn and his 9 great grandchildren Kayleigh, James, Gideon, Acacia, Patrick, Eowyn, Eli, Mela & Mae. He is survived by his brother, Eric and two sisters, Mary and Jessie.

In honour of Bill, please consider a donation to The Salvation Army North Toronto Community Church.

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