William 'Bill' Bill MacKenzie Walker

Many things can be said about William 'Bill' MacKenzie Walker. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive man, his compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing his charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. He was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things he sought to accomplish. Bill was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around him. He generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

      Bill was born on March 15, 1930 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. His parents were Joseph and Catherine Walker. He was raised in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. When he was young, Bill's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe him. Even as a child, he demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around him.

      Bill grew up with six siblings. He had four brothers, Wallace, Alister, Joseph, and Wayne, and two sisters, Alma and Kay. He was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with his family. He was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served him well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. He carried these traits into his adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found him pleasurable and delightful to be around. Bill was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those he knew.

      As a young boy, Bill was imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether his peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, he could easily relate to other kids. He was an active child who took part in hockey, baseball, and he was a member of sea cadets. In his spare time he liked to read comic books and collect baseball cards. However, to Bill, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his many friends.

      During his high school years, Bill had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. He was constantly offering his support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which he participated. He did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to him. In this way, Bill had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. He was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew him as an excellent listener. He placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for him just around the corner.

      Always considered a “good” friend, Bill sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason he always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. His friends found him easy to know and get along with because of his talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in his dealings with others. He would always seek to learn what his friends enjoyed, and he would go out of his way to make sure that their needs were met. Bill was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, he sometimes felt ill at ease when he was the one on the receiving end. Throughout his life he had many friends. While growing up, his best friend was Bill (Noel) Cockerane. Later in life, he became friends with Jerry Pinder, Johnny Morrison, Buddy Morrison, and Danny MacDonald.

      On August 10th, 1963 Bill married Alma Rowena Durant at the United Church of Canda of St. Peter's, Nova Scotia. Compassionate and devoted, he worked hard to make his new family happy. He was always generous with his time and this meant that Alma came first in Bill’s book. He was always caring and made certain that he considered Alma’s feelings. By trusting his emotions, he did his best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Bill was truly a person of empathy.

      Bill’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good father to his children. He shared these values with his two sons, Wilfred and Derek, and one daughter Lisa. Bill was also blessed with five grandchildren, Courtney, Ryan, Sydney, Evan, and Ellie. He related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved him and he was completely and totally devoted to them.

      Bill experienced success in his work life over and over again. His primary occupation was a railroad car repairman. He was employed for 20 years by the Machine Shop in Glace Bay, and 6 years by the City of Cambridge in Ontario. He always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by his colleagues as a team player. He took pride in managing his professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Bill was one to take the initiative and his skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. He continually sought to learn what his co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled him to help them develop their own potential.

      Because he was organized and methodical, Bill took great pleasure in his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were watching wrestling and spending time with his family. He enjoyed sharing his passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

      Throughout his life, Bill was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, he was known to his peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Bill was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting his own needs aside. His involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Bill’s ability to bring valued principles along with him. Throughout his later years, he was an active member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

      Bill was well known to others for his ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed him as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, he was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld his personal values. Politically, he was a strong supporter of the Liberal Party.

      Bill’s faith was important to him. He was a member of St. Anne's of Glace Bay for 35 years and Lady of Fatima of Sydney River for 39 years. He was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in his work with the congregation.

      Though he never did anything solely for individual recognition, Bill was given accolades for his many and varied efforts throughout his life. If the truth were known, he was always a little uncomfortable with being singled out for recognition. His most prestigious award was achieving the highest academic standing in his high school math class.

      Bill enjoyed traveling, and because he was so well organized, he would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. His gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Bill were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included traveling to Ontario, Canada as well as Bangor Maine, USA.

      Bill was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Bill's favorite was Sun Boy, a Boston Bull dog. They were best friends for 5 years. His family was rounded out by his dog and goldfish.

      When Bill’s retirement finally came in 1973 due to illness, he was well prepared. Being the focused and organized person that he was, Bill had taken care to plan for this part of his life. When that time eventually arrived, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. His new life involved relocating to Nova Scotia from Ontario. In retirement, he found pleasure in staying active in church. Even in retirement, Bill continued to stay in touch with his old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

      Bill passed away on September 28, 2015 at The Cove Guest Home in Sydney, Nova Scotia. His cause of death was related to MS. He is survived by his wife Alma, his children Wildred (Miriam), Lisa (David), and Derek (Shirin); his grandchilren Courtney (Andrew), Ryan, Sydney, Evan, and Ellie; his sister Alma (Blair). Services were held at Lady of Fatima Church. Bill was laid to rest in Forest Haven Cemetery in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

      Throughout his life, Bill was a gregarious and enthusiastic man. He was generous in sharing his personal attributes, giving and helping those he knew and loved. He would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. He was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Bill leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives he touched will dearly remember William 'Bill' MacKenzie Walker.

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William ‘Bill’ Walker

Sydney River

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William ‘Bill’ MacKenzie Walker, 85 of Sydney River at the Cove Guest Home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, September 28, 2015. Bill lived and prospered with MS for 43 years.

Born in Glace Bay, he was the son of the late Joseph and Catherine (MacKenzie) Walker.

William was a caring, loving thoughtful husband, brother, father and grandfather. He was a mannerly gentleman, always with a ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, who had a smile for all those he met. He loved his family unconditionally, bragging about his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. As a young man he loved to fish and hunt with his cross and long bow and was known for his shiny cars and his 1947 Oldsmobile. Bill once enjoyed his summers in Mira at his summer home looking out at the water and loved going up and down the river in his speed boat. In his younger years, Bill worked at the Machine Shop in Glace Bay, then moved to Ontario where he worked for the City of Cambridge for many years before returning to his much loved Cape Breton. Bill and Alma loved to travel to visit family and friends.

He leaves behind the love of his life, Alma (Durant), a marriage of 52 years; daughter Lisa (David) Walker-MacLellan, Sydney River and her daughter Courtney (Andrew) Johnston and Courtney’s sister Robyn and David’s son Blake; sons Wilfred (Miriam),and their children Sydney and Ellie, Etobicoke, ON; Derek (Shirin) and their children Ryan and Evan, Mississauga, ON; sister Alma (Blair) Irvine, Waterloo, ON; brothers-in-law Carvle Durant (Lillian), Edison (Sandra) Durant , sister-in-law Leone Blois and his furry friends Cheeko and Nya.

He was predeceased by brothers Wallace, Wayne, Allister, Joseph and sister Catherine Hooker.

Visitation for Mr. Walker will take place on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 am at Our Lady of Fatima Church with Rev. Doug Murphy officiating.

Thank you to the staff of the Cove Guest Home for the loving care provided to Bill also to Drs. S. Ritcey, C. Critchley, D.Brien, P. Curry and D.Wong for their compassion and care throughout the years.

Donations may be made to the MS Society or charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com

“Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”