William John Roderick Livingstone

William (Bill) John Roderick Livingstone of Whitby, Ontario passed away peacefully on February 22, 2025. He was in his 83rd year. Born on March 20, 1942 in Copper Cliff, Ontario, Bill was the son of William and Mildred (nee Glover) Livingstone. He was preceded in death by brother, Ranald.

Bill was a lawyer by profession; his long legal career was centred on his successful Whitby-based practice - and a piper by avocation. Bill Livingstone was one of the world’s greatest exponents of the Scottish bagpipe.

In the world of piping few have equalled the depth and breadth of his creative output, impact and overall formidable excellence. He won the world’s greatest prizes for both solo and band performance. He founded - and, for 28 years, led - the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, the first non-Scottish band to win the World Pipe Band Championships (1987).

He was a noted recording artist with numerous solo and band projects to his credits including, “Gold Medallist” (1978), “Northern Man (2009) and “Live in Ireland” (1988), the biggest selling pure pipe band album in history.

A gifted composer and arranger, Bill, published two books of pipe music and contributed his works to many more. His compositions are heard regularly wherever the music of the pipes are played. Through his popular interpretations and styling of bagpipe music alongside his influential teaching endeavours Bill is easily recognized as one of the most influential pipers of the last 100 years.

Yet he was so much more than a lawyer and genius piper.

Bill was a passionately loving and devoted husband to Lillian. He was a loyal friend; generous and warm-hearted. He was a gifted conversationalist; he loved to banter. He loved music of almost every kind: classic jazz, Leonard Cohen, Hosier; Finbar Furey’s “When You Were Sweet Sixteen” was a reliable eye-watering listen. He was an avid cyclist. He loved basketball. He was an Italophile. He appreciated a good glass of wine or a well-aged dram. He loved animals, especially his two energetic cats, Kenneth and Calvin. He loved to cook (but he loved Lillian’s cooking more).

Bill’s autobiography, “Preposterous - Tales to Follow” (2017) laid bare a life well-lived: from his early days in the mining country of the Sudbury area, his time as a rock and roll piano player, through to professional judicial experiences and all things piping, Bill wasted little time in his 82 years. And through it all was the true love of his life, Lillian. Bill and Lillian were inseparable and enjoyed a lifetime of a deep and abiding love. “I don’t know what I would do without my bride; she sure looks after me,” he would often say. And she did.

Bill is survived by his beloved Lillian, extended family and countless friends the world over who will cherish his memory and the charismatic force of nature that was Bill Livingstone.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 23 at 1:00 pm at The Old Mill, 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to the following email address: [email protected]