We regret to advise of the death of Sapper William Frederick “Bill” Irving (Ret'd) of Guelph ON who passed away suddenly on 6 August 2021 at the age of 95. Bill was a veteran of the Second World War.
Bill grew up in Guelph and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1944, immediately after turning 18. He later transferred to the Royal Canadian Engineers as a Sapper. Bill served as a guard at the Prisoner of War Camp in Gravenhurst ON (1945-46) along with other guards who were veterans from the First World War.
After the end of the war, Bill boarded the transport ship “Mauretania” in March 1946 for the five-day trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Liverpool, England where the German POWs were returned to British authorities. Bill Irving was only 20 years of age when he arrived home in May 1946 and was demobilized. After the war, Bill worked at Imperial Tobacco for 30 years and became a foreman.
Throughout his life, Bill was dedicated to serving his country and his community. He was a Royal Canadian Legion member for 41 years. After the birth of his first son, Bill actively advocated for people with special needs and became a founding member of Community Living Guelph Wellington. He was a lifelong member of St. Georges Anglican Church where he was a member of Young Peoples, the Men’s Club, and Chi Rho Fellowship. He also served as People’s Warden, starting in 1986. Bill was also a member of the Guelph Wellington Men’s Club.
Resting at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph. A private visitation and service will be held on 13 August 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Interment in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Guelph. The service will be live-streamed through Zoom by clicking the link on the funeral home website. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Community Living Guelph Wellington and St. Georges Anglican Church would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
