We regret to advise of the death of William John “Bill” Powell Jr. peacefully at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto on 30 July 2019 at age 96. Bill was a veteran of the Second World War. He Bill lied about his age and enlisted in the Royal Highland Light Infantry in 1939 at age and was soon transferred to 1st Field Squadron Royal Canadian Engineers. Bill served with the Royal Canadian Engineers until 1942 when he transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve during the Battle of the Atlantic and joined the Algerine Minesweeper, HMCS OSHAWA. While in OSHAWA he was present at the surrender of the German submarine U887 at the end of the war. Bill remained with OSHAWA until he was released in March 1946.
After the war Bill was employed by the T. Eaton Company in Hamilton, ON for 20 years and he was an Immigration Officer with Citizenship and Immigration Canada for 25 years. After retired at age 71 Bill served his communities in many ways. He held volunteer positions with the Royal Canadian Legion and on the Executive of National Association of Federal Retirees as President Toronto Chapter. He was the Sick and Welfare Officer Royal Naval Association Southern Ontario Branch for 10 years. Bill was also involved in the formation of the Longview Housing Co-operative in Toronto and served with them for many years.
Arrangements were made, with the assistance of Veterans Affairs Canada, for Bill’s ashes to be sent to the Chapel of HMCS STADACONA. His ashes were later placed in the ocean near Point Pleasant Park in Halifax.
