Obituary of William Nicholas Willems
WILLEMS, William “Bill” Nicolaas – Peacefully with his family by his side, Bill Willems died at Bluewater Health on May 2, 2021 at the age of 94. Loving husband of Constance for 58 years. Loving father of Teresa Coppens & her husband Dennis, Catherine Willems & her wife Wendy Morrison, and Rick Willems & his wife Anja. Cherished grandfather of Connor, Jarod & Kieran Coppens and Anaiya (Mario) & Sumner Willems. One of nine children, he is survived by his brother Peter (Henrika) Willems, Theo Willems, Jan Willems, Helene Willems and Mary (Rien) van de Ven, all of Holland. Brother-in-law of Bill Mackle, England and Peter Mackle, Toronto. Predeceased by his parents Johannes & Johanna Willems, brothers Miek and Gerard Willems and sister Anne Kuijpers.
Born in Holland in 1926, he lived through the Depression and WWII, spent some time in the army in Indonesia and then followed his brother Pete to Canada in the late 50s where they worked at Abbott Boats prior to starting their own construction company, Willems Bros. Construction. It was in Sarnia he met the prettiest girl in town and married her in 1963, where they raised 3 children.
After retiring he spent many a day on the golf course, which he loved and excelled at - with 4 hole-in-ones over the years (included one at age 87!) and appearing in the paper when he golfed a 79 at age 81. Never one to sit still, he loved to ride his bicycle all over town and spend time making pictures and clocks from wood, including many animals and golf scenes. His love and energy will be missed by his many family, friends and acquaintances.
Visitation at McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 N. Christina St. Sarnia on Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Those wishing to attend must sign up by visiting this link: https://signup.com/go/KQBEpSG or by calling the funeral home at 519-344-3131. Please note that masks/face coverings are mandatory and maximum visitors at one time and social distancing will be strictly enforced. Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church. Cremation to follow with interment at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may make donations to the Ontario Heart & Stroke Foundation, 2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1300, Box 2414, Toronto, ON M4P 1E4 . Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com.
