Wilbur "Bill" Charles Mullin

He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Gladys (Read) as well as his parents, Royal and Martha (Hill) Mullin and his siblings Anne, Don, Merlin, Pauline, Eldon, and Lynn.

He is survived by his children Richard (Kathy), Anita Opalka (Greg), and Stephen (Caryl). He was also Granddad (Dee Dee) to Christina Wheeler (Peter), Natalie Mansvelt (Daniel), Julia Davis (Parker), Mirabel and Avery Opalka and Camryn and Riley Mullin. He was Great Granddad to Rose, Abram, Malcolm, Isla, Graham, and Brooke. He will be missed and fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews as well as many friends.

Bill proudly hailed from New Brunswick, being born August 8,1939 in Cassilis, on the Miramichi and being raised in Moncton. Bill joined the Canadian Navy after high school, and was stationed between Halifax and Victoria. He met lifelong friends in the service and trained in the apprentice program as an electrician. During this time he met and married Marilyn and they spent 63 years married until her passing in October 2025.

Halifax was home from 1966 onwards, and Bill raised his children in homes that he had renovated carefully to suit the needs of the family. He took great pride in the many special features that were crafted according to his design. His biggest passion was for wood working and especially creating things for family and friends, many of which will be displayed at his memorial service. When one thinks of the number of objects fashioned by Bill, it is almost impossible to count, given that the beginning of his creative output starts so long ago and stretches across every place he ever went. Whether for his own children and grandchildren or for people he met on his travels he was almost always working on another project – mostly with wood, and very often with oak: coffee tables, end tables, cutting boards, charcuterie boards, cat trees, desk lamps, floor lamps, clothes drying racks, his famous “oak step-on garbage can,” clocks, rolling pins, shelves, wardrobes, headboards, footboards, desks, and many more creations.

Bill liked to travel, especially by car, and visited all 10 provinces, 2 of the territories, plus much of the United States, including Alaska. He even hitchhiked from Victoria, BC to Moncton, NB via the northern states – wearing his navy uniform (to help with pickups). He continued travelling throughout his work life, as he spent many years as a manufacturers’ agent, travelling Atlantic Canada, representing electronic and furniture lines. You could name any odd town, and he loved to tell you where you could find the best meals. He also carefully planned annual family vacations, which usually involved camping in National Parks, lots of hikes, campfires and stops for ice cream.

Bill played tuba in the Moncton High School band, followed by the reserve army band, and the militia band. After leaving the service, he spent years engaged in local volunteer bands, including the Halifax Concert Band and the Bedford Leisure Orchestra.

Dad, Grandad, Dee Dee, Great Grandad, Bill, Wilbur, Uncle Bill will be missed by his family and the many friends he made and kept over the years. He was a very social guy, and loved to reconnect with old friends and work colleagues, over the phone, at reunions and other gatherings. He often made connections over his famous BBQed haddock, turkey dinner or another of his culinary specialties.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of the QEII, unit 8.4 and most particularly, Bernadette, all of whom Bill greatly appreciated in his final days.

There will be a celebration of Bill’s life on Saturday, July 18 at 2PM in the backyard of the home he so carefully transformed over 50 years: 40 Castle Hill Drive.

Consider donating to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or another charity of your choice in Bill’s honour. In his memory, strike up a conversation with a stranger. That’s how people become friends.