As many in the community already know, our father, Bill Moulton passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 23rd, 2020.
Bill lived a full and happy life. Southampton–Port Elgin area readers may not know so much about Dad’s life before he moved to Southampton, so we wanted to share a small part of that story with them.
The only child of Clement and Harriet (Morrow) Moulton, Dad grew up in Windsor, ON, attending Walkerville Collegiate Institute. We know he cherished those years because he would never miss the annual reunions of his high-school buddies and their wives six decades later.
Bill met his first wife, Joan, at McGill University. Bill and Joan, raised four loving boys: Bill Jr (Donna), Jay (Louise), Doug (Lisa), and David (Marie-France). Bill’s early business career was quite itinerant with stops in Kitchener, London, Peterborough, and finally landing in Mississauga in 1967. The house on Narva Court then became command central for Bill, Joan and the boys.
Bill with family in Kingston in 1980 for Jay’s graduation. Clockwise from Bill, Joan, Doug, Harriet, David, and Bill Jr. Jay is missing
Bill will always be remembered as a caring and loving father. It was with great joy that he shared his passion for sports with his entire family. Whether it was coaching his boys in hockey and baseball or his endeavours as a collegiate football referee, Bill always managed to be abreast of all things sport. An avid collector of Sports Illustrated, he eventually managed to corral the entire series and had to build a separate abode (The Bunkie) for his collection.
Bill with his boys (left to right) Jay, David, Bill Jr and Doug. November 19, 1988 in Montreal
He was an intercollegiate referee and his association recommended that the CFL bring him into their system for obvious reasons, but the CFL thought he was too old at the time. My Dad told me that he was in his early 30’s at the time!
Following Missisaugan Ron Cabot’s (Toronto Blue Jay scout) lead, Dad was a major contributor in coaching and helping organize the original Mississauga Sabre junior baseball teams. Son, Jay, remembers helping Ron and Dad, and their fellow Mississauga Sabre baseball players groom a true baseball field at Huron Park in Erindale. “I believe that three or more players from those teams were drafted professionally. Dad was too modest to boast about any of that!”
Dad never spoke about his accomplishments. There were many. Raised on a steady diet of sports in Windsor, he was an accomplished athlete in hockey and football, played football for the McGill Redmen and was invited to the Hamilton Ticats’ training camp. Bill then developed into one of Canada’s best football officials. He set a record for most Canadian College Championship Football games officiated and was selected to the elite officiating crew for the 1978 Can-Am College Bowl game in Tampa, Florida.
Bill signalling a touchdown at University of Western Ontario
Dad also wore his professional engineering ring with pride. Bill graduated as a civil engineer and began his career working for Canadian Blower and Forge, JH Ryder, and the Austin Company. He later moved into a variety of fields from cosmetics to automobiles, working mainly in sales and business development. His friendly demeanor suited these endeavours and resulted in a vast number of friendships that he maintained throughout his life. Bill was also blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren in whom he took great joy following as they grew into wonderful children and adults.
On September 24, 1982, Bill married Beverly Ann Gaiser. Bill’s four boys were proud of the important role that our Dad played in Bev’s children’s lives, as Jeff, Brad, Jennifer and Mike grew up in the Burlington, ON area and matured into parents themselves.
As Southampton friends know, Bill retired with Bev to Southampton, where he engaged in the redevelopment of Chantry Island and spent many hours bringing the site back to life. An early member of the Propeller Club, Bill could always be counted on to head the annual fundraiser barbecues. Finally finding the time to get back into sports, he enjoyed playing golf with family and friends and curling on the local sheets of ice. Bill will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him. The world has lost an exceptionally kind and caring man. Consistently modest, Dad asked that there be no funeral upon his passing.
As many in the community already know, our father, Bill Moulton passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 23rd, 2020.
