William Joseph Seifried

Bill is survived by his four children and their spouses, Lynda (Gilham) and Adrian, Brian and Michelle, Garry and Karen and Kevin and Cyndi as well as his sister Eileen (Pellizzari) and brother Wilbert.

Bill enjoyed fun times with his grandchildren Alissa (Pearson), Eric, Gordon, Stuart, Alicia, Lauren, Kate, James and Ryan and they loved him dearly. He was proud to have 14 great grandchildren and 5 great, great grandchildren.

Bill was predeceased by his treasured wife of 71 years Georgia Jean (Walker), father Herbert and mother Christina (Drexler) and siblings Fred, Clarence, Albert, Lloyd, Carl and Marguerite (Hulme).

Bill was born May 3, 1925 in Ariss Township. At 18, he enlisted in the army and served with the Regina Rifles in World War ll. He did his part to help liberate France, Belgium and Holland before becoming a reconnaissance scout in Germany. He received the French Knight of the Legion of Honour, the Netherlands Liberation and the King Charles lll medals in addition to his British and European war service medals. He was a member of the Guelph Legion, Branch 234 for 78 years.

Bill represented the Regina Rifles at the unveiling of a rifleman statue in Bretteville, France with Princess Anne on June 5, 2024. In May of this year, Bill was a guest veteran with the Canadian government delegation that returned to the Netherlands to be honoured during their 80th Anniversary Liberation Celebrations. It meant a lot to Bill to see how happy the people are now. He celebrated his 100th birthday there.

Bill’s life with Jean was a very special love story full of travel, dancing, camping, family get togethers and always laughter. They loved card games like euchre, pepper, cribbage and especially bridge. Bill was an exceptional player and won his last bridge game a few days before his passing!

Bill was an incredible father, mentor, confidant, teacher, and an amazing role model, living a life full of kindness, hard work and always putting others first. He never failed to ask, “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

His work ethic was remarkable. He was a dedicated employee of the Guelph Transit Commission for 42 years until mandatory retirement at 65, having never missed a day of work. He also worked for Brinks Security as a driver and guard part-time for 32 years. He transported cars for Mark Wilson’s Used Cars until he retired at 86. Mark said, “Bill was the kind of person, if you were stranded in the ocean, and Bill had the only life jacket, he would give his to you.”

Bill believed it was important to do the best you could and he always did. The twinkle in his eye, welcoming smile and love of life will be in the memory of those who knew him.

Bill has been interred at Woodlawn Cemetery. There will be a celebration of his life May 3, 2026.