Obituary for William Price Dies
William Price Dies
June 8, 1925 – December 28, 2023
William ‘Bill’ Price Dies, married to Beth Joan Dies (neé Byers) for 70 years, passed peacefully in the presence of family on December 28, 2023 at the age of 98. Predeceased by his brother Doug (Rita) and parents William and Grace (neé Price), he is survived by his wife Joan, children June (Bob), Paul (Nancy), Rob (Leah), and Joanne (Scott), as well as his grandchildren Todd, Devon, Sam, Rachel, Sarah, Evan, Hannah, and Emily, and his great-grandchildren.
Bill grew up in The Beaches and went on to graduate from the University of Guelph’s Agriculture program. He had fond memories from his university days and maintained contact with friends well into his 90s. He and his brother Doug raised their families side by side, with homes beside each other in Scarborough and cottages beside each other on Boshkung Lake in the Haliburton Highlands. After a few years as a chemical salesman and brewmaster, Bill gave the latter up as he did not want to contribute to substance use but rather wished to shape young minds. He taught at several schools in Scarborough as a chemistry teacher, serving as head of the science department and, in the later stages of his career, as a vice principal. Fondly known as ‘Uncle Bill’ by many of his students, he was deeply involved in student life and took pride in mentoring and tutoring those who needed it.
An involved and competitive athlete, he played a variety of sports including downhill skiing with the Skyloft Ski Club, and tennis with his brother and friends at the cottage well into his 80s. He was a veteran, a dedicated member of his church, served as President of the Boshkung Lake Property Owner’s Association (1985), and was a founding member of the PROBUS Club of Aurora (including a presidency from 2014-2015). As an avid traveler, Bill loved seeing the world and maintained that the most profound personal growth was found in exploring new and unfamiliar places. He was well known for his great sense of humor and keen interest in lifelong learning, making sure he was connected to everyone in person, by phone, mail, email, and even online. He loved nothing more than a good discussion about current affairs and could regularly be found research new medical and scientific advances to debate with his grandchildren.
His fondest memories and bonds with his family were made at the cottage, where his parents’ and in-laws’ cottages have welcomed five generations so far. Many of his favored friends and family members gathered here over the course of his life, and thanks to his legacy, that meaningful connection will continue to blossom through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. To his point, Bill spent the last two years of his life reveling in his new role as ‘Great-Papa’, spending hours admiring the growth and development of his great-grandchildren, and connecting with them regularly over video calls.
He left a lasting impression on everyone he met and will be greatly missed by all.
The Celebration of Life for Bill will be held on Saturday March 9, 2024 from 2:30-5:30 pm. The service will be conducted by Aurora United Church and will be held at Trinity Anglican Church (79 Victoria St, Aurora, Ontario) with a gathering to follow in the same location.
Click Here To Watch Live Stream Service
We would ask that any donations to be given in Bill's honor be given to the 'Rising From The Ashes' campaign. Cheques should be made out to Aurora United Church and designated RFTA. You are also invited to make your donation through E-Transfer. Here is the link for more information: https://www.auroraunitedchurch.ca/pages/give
Information will be available at the Celebration. The church and its Family were a very big part of Bill and Joan's lives and he felt that it was very important to have it rebuilt (after the fire) for the community!
June 8, 1925 – December 28, 2023
William ‘Bill’ Price Dies, married to Beth Joan Dies (neé Byers) for 70 years, passed peacefully in the presence of family on December 28, 2023 at the age of 98. Predeceased by his brother Doug (Rita) and parents William and Grace (neé Price), he is survived by his wife Joan, children June (Bob), Paul (Nancy), Rob (Leah), and Joanne (Scott), as well as his grandchildren Todd, Devon, Sam, Rachel, Sarah, Evan, Hannah, and Emily, and his great-grandchildren.
Bill grew up in The Beaches and went on to graduate from the University of Guelph’s Agriculture program. He had fond memories from his university days and maintained contact with friends well into his 90s. He and his brother Doug raised their families side by side, with homes beside each other in Scarborough and cottages beside each other on Boshkung Lake in the Haliburton Highlands. After a few years as a chemical salesman and brewmaster, Bill gave the latter up as he did not want to contribute to substance use but rather wished to shape young minds. He taught at several schools in Scarborough as a chemistry teacher, serving as head of the science department and, in the later stages of his career, as a vice principal. Fondly known as ‘Uncle Bill’ by many of his students, he was deeply involved in student life and took pride in mentoring and tutoring those who needed it.
An involved and competitive athlete, he played a variety of sports including downhill skiing with the Skyloft Ski Club, and tennis with his brother and friends at the cottage well into his 80s. He was a veteran, a dedicated member of his church, served as President of the Boshkung Lake Property Owner’s Association (1985), and was a founding member of the PROBUS Club of Aurora (including a presidency from 2014-2015). As an avid traveler, Bill loved seeing the world and maintained that the most profound personal growth was found in exploring new and unfamiliar places. He was well known for his great sense of humor and keen interest in lifelong learning, making sure he was connected to everyone in person, by phone, mail, email, and even online. He loved nothing more than a good discussion about current affairs and could regularly be found research new medical and scientific advances to debate with his grandchildren.
His fondest memories and bonds with his family were made at the cottage, where his parents’ and in-laws’ cottages have welcomed five generations so far. Many of his favored friends and family members gathered here over the course of his life, and thanks to his legacy, that meaningful connection will continue to blossom through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. To his point, Bill spent the last two years of his life reveling in his new role as ‘Great-Papa’, spending hours admiring the growth and development of his great-grandchildren, and connecting with them regularly over video calls.
He left a lasting impression on everyone he met and will be greatly missed by all.
The Celebration of Life for Bill will be held on Saturday March 9, 2024 from 2:30-5:30 pm. The service will be conducted by Aurora United Church and will be held at Trinity Anglican Church (79 Victoria St, Aurora, Ontario) with a gathering to follow in the same location.
Click Here To Watch Live Stream Service
We would ask that any donations to be given in Bill's honor be given to the 'Rising From The Ashes' campaign. Cheques should be made out to Aurora United Church and designated RFTA. You are also invited to make your donation through E-Transfer. Here is the link for more information: https://www.auroraunitedchurch.ca/pages/give
Information will be available at the Celebration. The church and its Family were a very big part of Bill and Joan's lives and he felt that it was very important to have it rebuilt (after the fire) for the community!