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SHEPPARD, The Honourable Wm. A. E., CD QC
September 10, 1919 – February 6, 2018

Peacefully in his beloved log home, “Bearwardacote”, in Collingwood, Ontario, in his ninety-ninth year. Loving husband of Kathleen Sheppard (m. 1992). Eldest son of Ross and MayBelle Sheppard, late of Toronto. Father of Judith Sheppard of Collingwood, Patricia Ebright (George) of Covert, Michigan, and Penelope Johnston (Brian) of Portland, Oregon. Grandpa of Jessica Cotton Polzl (Michael) of Waterloo, Ontario, and George Ebright, of Covert, Michigan. Great Grandpa of Chloe and Blake Polzl.

Bill was born on September 10, 1919, in Toronto, the eldest of five children. He spent his formative years in Lawrence Park and summers at Big Bay Point, Lake Simcoe. Bill attended University of Toronto Schools and the University of Toronto before enlisting in July of 1940 as an ordinary seaman for active service with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Shipping out twenty days after enlisting, Bill arrived in England and joined the Royal Navy through a special officer training program, for a select group of one-hundred and fifty Canadians, at HMS Raleigh, Cornwall. The young Canadian sailors, who were on loan to the Royal Navy, were a distinguished company. They formed a life-long bond, calling themselves the Canadian Raleighites. They held regular reunions until 2008.

Bill spent his required three months at sea in the HMS Bonaventure operating in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. On March 31, 1941, the Bonaventure was torpedoed by an Italian submarine off Alexandria and the ship sank in eleven minutes. One-hundred and thirty-eight officers and men were lost and one-hundred wounded. Bill was one of three Raleighites to survive the ordeal. After receiving his King’s commission at HMS King Alfred, he pursued specialized training in minesweeping and navigation. Bill served as First Lieutenant with the Royal Navy on various ships, notably the corvette, HMS Knaresborough Castle, serving as a convoy escort until the end of World War II. Following the War, he served in the Naval Reserve in Toronto and retired from Naval Service as Lieutenant-Commander (N.R.) in 1978.

Medals and Decorations: 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, African Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45.

Following the War, Bill continued his studies at Trinity College at The University of Toronto and graduated in 1946. He went on to study law at Osgoode Hall and, from 1962 to 1977, Bill served as a District Judge and later as Chairman, Labour and Arbitrations Board. Bill thrived on adventure and life out-of-doors and, despite several near-death experiences during the War, he maintained his love of the sea. He sailed for many years on his yacht, the Waterwitch III, through the Great Lakes and around Cape Cod.

After the War, Bill enthusiastically took up alpine skiing and joined the Toronto Ski Club. He and his young family spent their winters skiing at Blue Mountain where his family started on the path to becoming accomplished skiers. In 1960, the family joined Osler Bluff Ski Club, and in 1964, Bill built his century-old log home “Bearwardacote” near the ski hill.

Bill enjoyed curling at the Granite Club and the Collingwood Curling Club. For many years, he rode with the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt and with the Governor General’s Horse Guards. Late in life, Bill took up flying and flew his plane to destinations in Canada and the United States, until he reluctantly gave it up at ninety-one. He was a life long member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute and was the last of the Raleighites.

A private celebration of his life and achievements was held earlier this year. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society would be appreciated:
www.gths.ca 549 10th Line, Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 0W1.

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