Obituary of William John Palmer

PALMER, William "Bill" John - Surrounded by his loving family at St. Joseph's Hospice, Bill Palmer died on Monday, November 24, 2014 at the age of 72. Loving son of the late James & Katherine Palmer. Cherished brother of Jane LeClair, Sarnia, Veronica Easdale & her husband William, Wasaga Beach and Julie Palmer & her partner Wayne Sarson, Sarnia. Dear uncle to Sue LeClair (Bryan), Bright's Grove, Karen Mathewson (George), Sarnia, Skip LeClair (Mary), Sarnia, April Jennings (Tom), Fort Saskatchewan, Catherine Dunlop (Scott), Willowdale, B.J. Easdale (Dori), Dublin, Ohio, and Jack Easdale (Candace Carr), Nevada. Great uncle and great, great uncle to several nieces and nephews. Billy Palmer, gentleman, loving brother, bowler, trusted friend and very funny guy, lived as he worked and played, with strength and vitality. He had a life-long love affair with Willie Nelson, women, the Detroit Tigers, running a tight ship, Coors Light and the Boston Bruins, which he began cheering for as a teenager. Bill was a veteran of the Canadian Navy and respected member of the Carpenters Union, Local 1256. He took pride in his multiple trade skills, and following his retirement used them often and unstintingly to help out others. His family remembers, with fondness, the scary "Dreaded Scarpox" stories he told the kids with eerie relish around bonfires on annual vacations to Ipperwash Beach. Billy was never afraid to speak his mind. He disliked fussiness and pretension. He excelled at growing plump tomatoes and peppers, generosity and broomball. From the front porch of his Davis Street home he gathered often with friends to swap stories and muse on the folly of human nature. When his sisters would propose family gatherings at Bill's home he invariably said "no" before relenting, and then had a great time. When the vacuum cleaner came out it was time to go. A particular passion for Bill was getting together Thursday nights with his Border City teammates at Marcin Bowl. He was brave, and to the circle with whom he golfed, drank and hunted moose in Northern Ontario each fall, he was an unfailingly loyal friend. Billy Palmer was, above all, a good man. And we will miss him terribly. Cremation has taken place and at Bill's request there will be no visitation or service. As an expression of sympathy, those who wish may make a donation to St. Joseph's Hospice, 475 N. Christina St. N., Sarnia, N7T 5W3 where he spent his final days so lovingly cared for. Sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who made that time so dignified and peaceful, including all the wonderful volunteers and Dr. Maddison and Dr. Crombeen.  Arrangements entrusted to The McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia, (519-344-3131). Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of William Palmer in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 20th, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area