Bill Minnery in his 91st year passed away peacefully at the Brantford General Hospital on August 19th with his devoted family by his side. Grieving the loss of our noble hero are his wife Elsie, daughters Anne and Joan (Keith) and son Bob (Kerri, Korbin & McKinely and Angelica); predeceased by his eldest son John (Elsie). Bill leaves behind his shattered grandson Bill (BJ) and granddaughter Alyssa. Bill was the son of Sarah (Marsie) and Jack Minnery and brother of Mary (all deceased). Long time best pal of Joe McGuinness (deceased). Bill has family and friends throughout Ontario, British Colombia, the United States, England and Australia.
Bill served in WW II as an Able Seaman in the British Royal Navy. He was a former Vice Sergeant in the British Police Service in Liverpool and London England and a former member of the Brantford Police Auxiliary Force. Bill was a foreman at the Hamilton Dock Yards, Westinghouse, and Massey Ferguson and was a Business Agent for the Provincial Labour’s Union and past President of the International Labour’s Union. Local NDP members will remember Bill as a founding Member of the CCF Party and helped launch the party in Brantford. He was recognized in 1977 for the Brantford Centennial Parade as Grand Marshall and Assistant Organizer. In 1995 Bill received the most prestigious honour as he was presented with Veteran of the Year at Queens Park for his work for the Canadian Troops in Bosnia and the refugees. Bill was a Lifetime Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Dunsdon # 461 serving as Vice President, Poppy Chairperson, and as Last Post Service Officer. Bill adored travelling with the Veteran’s Memory Project and speaking to students about his war time service.
All of us at 117 send out sincere gratitude to the V.O.N. PSW team for their care of Dad over the last 4 years, especially Denyse Lake. We offer sincere thanks to Doctor Vincent’s office and the tremendous care by ALL staff at the C5 CCU Unit, Emergency and Paramedics at BGH.
Bill was a long-time loving personality in his corner at McGonagall’s Pub, his second home. In Dad’s words as he last left there, “Attention Ladies and Gentlemen, May God bless this house and everybody in it.” 117.