William Edward Bish

William (Bill) Edward Bish passed away peacefully on January 4, 2012 at the age of 81. He is mourned by his wife Ruth, sister Rosemary Plummer, sister-in-law Mary Bish, daughters Lucille and her husband Bill McAndrew and Evelyn, grandchildren Bruce and Louise McAndrew and Jake and Nicole White, family friend Kim MacIntyre and pre-deceased by his brother Robert. Bill, a life-long Kitchener resident, was the son of Winnie and Edward Bish, and a fourth generation descendant of George Bechtel, one of the first settlers in this area. He met Ruth Shoemaker at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on May 26, 2011. Bill was the General Manager then President of McBrine Luggage for 30 years then owner President of Balcorail for over 10 years. He was active in the YMCA and other service clubs and Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He loved the family cottage at Grand Bend, where he sailed a self-built sailboat and enjoyed his family and friends. Friends may call the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home, 621 King St. W. Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1C7 on Sunday January 8, 2011 from 2-4 pm. where a funeral service and committal service will be held on Monday January 9, 2011 at 2:30 pm. with Pastor Nolan Astley officiating. Donations in his memory may be made to the Diabetic Association or the Canadian War Amps as expressions of sympathy. Reception to follow at the Ratz-Bechtel Family Centre. Condolences may be left at ratzbechtelfuneralhome.com