William Purcell

PURCELL, William (Bill) James - Born March 8, 1927 in Toronto, Ontario. Peacefully, William in his 89th year passed away on Monday, October 31st, 2016 at Regency Park Lodge in Windsor, Ontario. Son of the late John (Jack) Edward and Helen Moffat (nee Colson) Purcell. Former husband of the late Barbara Jane (nee Bradt) Little, father of Patrick (Shirley), Pamela (Gregg), Jack (Lexy), Jill (John). Predeceased by sister Nancy Colson (nee Purcell) Pidgeon MacDougall Collier, brothers Peter John Purcell and Philip George Purcell, daughter Penny Jane (nee Purcell) Duggan (Joe), sons, Peter Michael Purcell (Debbie) and Jeffrey Bradt Purcell. Sadly missed by grandchildren, Sarah, Becky, Jimmy, Daniel, Michael, Jaclyn, Kerri, Scott, Abbygail and Gavin, great grand children, Lina and Jessa. Bill worked for Jack Purcell and Company member of The Toronto Stock Exchange, Spalding's Canada and Glidden Paint Company, he received many top sales achievement awards. He spent many summers at the family cottage in his much loved Algonquin Park. Bill was captain of the De La Salle "Oaklands" high school hockey team. Bill became one of Canada's most prominent badminton players, holding many Canadian National Badminton Titles, Men's Doubles (1954, 1956) and Mixed Doubles (1956, 1958) and numerous Ontario Provincial Championship Titles. He was a true sportsman. Bill loved to fish and his preferred method of travel was by canoe. In retirement years Bill loved to volunteer coaching and mentoring many young teens in pool and golf. Bill will be missed by many. Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Centre presiding 895 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in William's honour to The Friends of Algonquin Park, www.algonquinpark.on.ca/foap/