We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant William Sinclair Pickworth, CD (Ret’d), peacefully,
on Monday, 15 August 2022 in Ottawa ON at age 93 years. Bill was a member of the 3rd Field Engineer Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers (now 33 Combat Engineer Regiment ) during the 37-year period 1944 -1981.
Bill volunteered as a boy soldier during the Second World War in April 1944 - with his parents’ consent as he was underage. Because of his youth, he could not be sent overseas. Bill started his career in the Militia as a sapper and rose through the ranks in the unit until he was commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant.
Bill always held fond memories of his unit building its own armoury on Lees Avenue in 1952 in just five months. They occupied that armoury for some 50 years until the unit was moved to their current location on Walkley Road. Bill will be remembered by the unit as ”Father Bill” for when he was the Administration Officer and could always tie all the loose ends together.
Throughout his years of service, Bill was a frequent contributor of articles to the local newspapers where he explained what his unit did and how they contributed to the community. He was an active member of the Military Engineers Association of Canada.
Bill began his corporate career initially working for IBM and then with the National Research Council. Towards the end of his civilian career, he worked for the Science Council of Canada.
In accordance with Bill’s wishes, a private cremation was held with a graveside service planned for later in the Fall. In Memorium Donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, 40 Ruskin St. Ottawa, ON K1Y 4W7. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
