We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Norman William “Bill” Wiles (Ret’d) on 15 March 2020 in Kitchener ON in his 98th year.
Bill was born in Rosendale ON. He was a veteran of the Second World War and a certified trim carpenter when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers in June 1942 and after training in Camp Petawawa ON, he embarked for England. He learned and excelled at most of the other construction trades. On arriving in the UK, he joined 1st Mechanical Equipment Company, Royal Canadian Engineers and was engaged in a number of heavy construction projects in England prior to D-Day. Bill landed on Juno Beach, France on 13 July 1944 and fought through Belgium, the Netherlands and into Germany. He described his work as “a carpenter and a mine clearer and a bridge builder.” *
Bill returned home In October 1945 and rejoined his father’s construction company, Oscar Wiles and Sons Ltd. Shortly after, Bill became job site foreman for the rebuilding of a large furniture factory in Seaforth, ON that had burnt to the ground. He continued as a Wiles company job site foreman and later became the company’s general manager and estimator.
In March 2019, Bill received the appointment of “Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour” from the Republic of France honouring him for his contribution toward freeing France 75 years earlier.
Visitation and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Online Condolences can be sent to the funeral home. {khApr2020}
* Bill's WW II story is reported at: https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9021996--we-knew-what-fear-was-/
