Port Williams, NS
July 11, 1930 - June 23, 2024
It is with heavy hearts the family announce the passing of William Malcom "Bill" Thomson, 93, lifelong resident of Port Williams, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, after a brief period of failing health.
Born in Port Williams, on July 11, 1930, he was a son of the late Robie and Lillian (Hiltz) Thomson and the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Bill worked as a painter throughout the entirety of his career. He started out working with his father, Robie (who learned the trade under his father) and then, for Ross Walsh. Later he and his brother, Curtis became Thomson Bros Painting. Lastly, he created William Thomson and Sons Painting. His sons David and Peter worked alongside him for many years; Peter for over 45 years. Peter has taken over the painting business and his daughter, Dominique, works with him. Five generations, to date.
This church, St. John’s Anglican, is a special place to the Thomson family. Bill has had an active responsibility in its maintenance and upkeep, like his father before him. A task his son Peter has now taken over. This building still stands because of the several generations of Thomson men’s labour.Bill loved hunting and fishing. He enjoyed many a week-long fall trip to the woods hunting with Earle Schofield, Fay Schofield and Skip Colborn. Sometimes they brought home meat for the freezer, sometimes they brought home a tall tale and lots of lies.
Bill’s son Tim inherited the Mother Nature gene. Bill and Tim shared many trips together hunting and fishing throughout the years. As Bill got older, Tim became more and more Bill’s outdoor partner. They have shared many stories about their excursions over the years.
Bill also enjoyed restoring cars. Something he did with his boys. Together they restored a white Thunderbird and a green New Yorker. The T-bird was his true pride and joy, parts came from all over the globe. Bill went so far as to chauffeur his granddaughter, Melinda, to graduation in the T-Bird. Many may remember him driving around the community in his New Yorker.
Bill always tried to be a role model for his family. He wanted each, in their own time, to become successful, thoughtful community-minded individuals. Caring for one another and your community was important to Bill. To this end, Bill’s goal for each of his children was reached. Each, in their own way, has given back to their community in much the same way that Bill has. Bill was a community builder.
In 1951, it was decided to incorporate the village of Port Williams and create a Fire Department. At this first meeting, a group of twelve people, established the Port Williams Fire Department. This department was organized with Gordon Gates as the first Fire Chief. The membership rapidly grew from twelve to thirty-five and has remained around thirty-five since. Bill was proud to tell you that he was one of the ‘Founding Twelve.’ These original twelve members had to purchase their own firefighting equipment. Bill said he paid Eustrace Rand Store so much a week until his uniform, helmet and boots were paid in full. All members were and continue to be volunteers.
Bill was a regular member of the Wolfville Curling Club for over 50 years. In his later years he was an Honorary Member. Curling was his passion. Curling took him all over the province and to many bonspiels. He made friends easily and always wore a welcoming smile. He was also very competitive. Today, there is a banner that hangs in the Club for a Super Senior Team (over 75) indicating Bill, Hubert Sullivan, Rob Sterling, Fred Kelly and Glyn Fenton (spare) played to a Provincial Championship.
Bill was a member of the Wolfville Legion Branch #74 for 30 years. During this time, he enjoyed many social events and loved the dances. He was always a volunteer and very willing to roll up his sleeves to get done what needed to be done. He assisted with fundraising via breakfasts, suppers and events, and was on the ‘Paint and Repair Team’. While he always had a story to share, especially with a new member. Sometimes, others who knew him, and knowing the story, would be rolling their eyes or chuckling under their breath as Bill pulled the new member in. Bill was full of tomfoolery and could be most entertaining.
Bill also loved to travel. He and Vera spent many a winter vacationing in Florida. They went so far as to purchase a home in Florida. They also drove across Canada, several times, to visit their daughter, Susan and family, in Crooked Creek, AB (70 km east of Grande Prairie). When travelling became more difficult, Bill and Vera took to becoming seasonal campers. They camped for many years with their daughter Tammy and family along with Tim and family. Bill and Vera were always up for a new adventure. That said, Bill was proud to be born, raised and to have lived out his life here in Port Williams. He was frequently heard to say that there was no finer place to live than right here, in Port Williams.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Vera (nee Rogers); and five of his six children: Susan, Roger, Timothy, Tammy and Peter. Susan Thomson and husband, Ronald Boyce, Grande Prairie, AB, and their family: daughter, Blythe (Ian) Froh and their children, Liam and Katherine; and daughter, Aimee (Ryan) Desiatnyk and their children, Ella and Aliyah; Roger and wife, Brendalee Thomson, Port Williams, NS, and their family: son, Shane Thomson and his children, Deborah and Ann-Marie; son, Matthew (Chelsey Kadey) and their children, Serena, Summer, Molly and Marcie; Timothy and wife, Rose Thomson, Port Williams, NS, and their family: daughter, Melinda and her children, Kayla (Colin) Comeau and their children, Alley, Hunter, Maci; Isaac, Carter and Charlee-Anne Pineo; son, Jason (Jamie); Tammy and husband, Larry MacLellan, Black River, NS and their family; son, Nathan (Katelin Croft) and their children, Xander and Gannon; daughter, Rebecca MacLellan (CJ Hodgson); Peter and wife, Linda Thomson, Canaan, NS and their family: daughter, Dominique Thomson and her children, Elliemae and Jackson; and son, Kyle. In this family there are five generations living. Bill also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, David Thomson, age 36 (1998); brothers, Walter, Curtis, Avery and Murray (in infancy); and sisters, Mary Hancock, Carol Prospero, Greta Schofield, Margaret "Peggy" Thompson, Rhoda Thomson (in infancy); and his great granddaughter, Bryanna Froh (born sleeping).
The family would also like to send a special "Thank You" to Ada and Dwight Schofield for their constant and ongoing support for Bill and Vera over these last few years. Their frequent visits for evening tea and chats have been a true blessing.
Thank you to the many, who have crossed Bill’s path, in helping to pull together all this information. Bill has led a full, active and rewarding life.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation, by request. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28th in St. John’s Anglican Church, Church Street, Port Williams, The Rev. Maya Bevan officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. Interment will take place at a later date.
Donations in memory may be made to the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.
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