In his 83rd year, William (Bill) Joseph Burton peacefully set sail on his final journey in the early morning of October 27, 2018 surrounded by those he loved most.
Bill was an adventurer: he sailed, he canoed, he hiked, he explored, he golfed, he read, he taught, he laughed and he loved his family fiercely. He spent most of his life giving back to others as a teacher and a social worker; helping others came naturally to him and gave him a great sense of joy and accomplishment. But no joy can compare to the joy and love that he had for his wife, Judy, of 39 years. Bill’s love for Judy was unending and together they created an epic love story and built a family to be revered with their two children, Kimberley and James. Bill would listen to his family intently and for his children he would challenge, question and encourage them and for his wife he would support, offer perspective and comfort her to no end. Bill was a deliberate man and did everything with passion, care and ease. He taught his kids to push forward and sail in all conditions, but to keep a sharp wit on hand, with readiness to come about at any time. The world was better because Bill was in it and it will never be quite the same without him. So throw off the bowline, sail away from safe harbour, catch the trade winds, Explore, Dream, Question and Discover everything, just like Bill.
Bill will be loved always by his wife Judy Jones and children Kimberley (Matt) Drinkwater and James (Fern) Burton. To his grandchildren Brynley & Maesynn Drinkwater, he was the one-and-only, Pipi. Bill was the proud son of Truman and Ruby Burton. He was the loving brother of the late Dick Burton, the late Bob Burton, Jack Burton, the late Julie Grady, Pat (Tom) Cairns, Aggie (George) Dunn, the late Mary Hill, Tom (Dianne) Burton, Michael (Carolyn) Burton and special brother in law to Brian (Vilma) Jones, Glenn (Jeanette) Jones, Lynn (David) Jones, Ken (Andrea) Jones. Bill will be missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Family and friends may visit on Sunday, November 25, 2018 from 12:00 - 1:30pm at the Wellington County Museum and Archives, Aboyne Hall, 0536 Wellington Road 18, Fergus. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 1:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to Parkinson Canada or the Wellington Terrace, Fergus. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to The Wellington Terrace staff for their compassionate, professional and very loving care of Bill over the last years of his life. www.grahamgiddyfh.com