It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing
of our father William Henry Welburn (Bill).
He passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 1st, 2021, with his children
Brandon (Genevieve) and Andrea by his side.
Predeceased by his wife Valerie, he leaves behind his sister Dorothy (Elmer), stepson Shaun (Christina) and companion Roselle. Not to be left out is his granddaughter Chloe, the apple of his eye.
Bill worked for Bell Canada for 37 years but his ultimate passion was his music. He began playing with The Scimitars in his late teens at various venues around Montreal and the Laurentians. Later on in his life, he played with various local groups in the Chateauguay Valley including Numbers and for the past 20 years The Road Scholars, who were frequently amongst headliners at many Bluegrass festivals in Quebec, Ontario, and New York State.
A very special thank you to Dre Bélanger and the Huntingdon CLSC (notably nurse Louise) for their superior care and compassion.
Bill donated to numerous charities over the years. In his memory, the family suggests sending memorial donations to the charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will be held at the Howick United Church,
in Howick on Sunday July 11, 2021, at 2 p.m.
At a later date, interment will take place in Namur, Quebec.
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Willy you were special friend.
I enjoyed our times together.
Rest In Peace my friend.
Ross
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Our deepest sympathies to the family.
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Bill was a true pleasure to chat with and hear him pick the mandolin. We collaborated on a slide show about the 1998 Quebec ice storm using my photos and his partly-lamenting partly-humorous “The Ice Song.” I recall talk of maple syrup making and if I’m not mistaken he had a sugar bush up north. He leaves a great legacy of bluegrass music and all-around great Chateauguay Valley guy.
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Mes sympathies à la famille
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My Deepest and Heartfelt Sympathy to Bill’s family and loved ones. He befriended my late husband, Donald and myself, who at the time were newcomers to Howick. As Bill drove for SABEC, we enjoyed some very lively and tuneful trips to The Jewish General, invariably forgetting that we were going to a medical appointment! He spoke often of his favorite topic – his family; and would sometimes make a pit stop to deliver an envelope to a special someone. Please take comfort in knowing how dearly he is missed, and how thankful so many of us are to have known him. Bill will always be very warmly remembered!
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My sincere sympathies to Dorothy and Roselle and the whole family. He is was a wonderful, conscientious and dedicated volunteer. We liked him very much. xxx
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Our condolences to Billy’s family. Claire and I enjoyed many good times with Billy, Valorie, and all our young children growing up together many years ago. We will miss him. Good friends.
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My condolences to Andrea and family. I went to CCHS with Billy, 1955-1957.
He was a really nice guy and unfortunately geography prevented much contact.The last time I saw your Dad was at your graduation at Bishop’s (1994). We enjoyed seeing each other with plenty of humour. Take care and savour the memories, Cheers, Jim Grant
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Our deepest sympathies to the family.
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Our sympathy to the family. We meet Bill and Val in Florida and have many memories of his love for music.
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Our deepest sympathies to the Welburn family. We will be thinking of you.
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Our sincere condolences to Bill’s families.
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All with sadness that I heard that Bill passed away!!! All my thoughts and payers with the family!
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Dear Brandon, Gen and Chloe,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill was a very special and caring person. We always enjoyed his visits to the Rez where he took such good care of matante Hazel and Lottie and treated the gang to his cool tunes.
Hugs,
oxo
Kim
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Our deepest sympathies to the family. We are going to miss Billy, he was always always happy and spread happiness everywhere he went. Cheers to a rum & coke to you in Heaven, Billy.
Sharon & Clarence
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Our deepest sympathy to all the family, he was a great guy, a wonderful musician, and we both have lots of memories that we talk about!
Kenny always wanted to meet him up in Namur! We offer our deepest condolences to Andrea, Brandon, Shawn, Roselle, and the extended family. We will see you Sunday. xo
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We are so sorry to hear about Bill. He was a wonderful soul. He will be dearly missed. Sending love and strenght in this difficult time.
Annmarie and John Dikaitis
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Bill and his sister Dot, with their parents, provided a summer home for my mom. She only spoke of these times with fondness and gratitude. Meeting both Bill and Dot all of these years later and, through them, learning more about my mom…I’ll never forget such kindness. We are all lucky to have known him.
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Your Mom was like a sister to me. Bill and I both loved her. It has been a pleasure meeting and getting to know you, Tara.
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Prayers and Condolences to the family. I remember Billy as a fun guy as well as the gifted musician he was.
He’s at peace now and with family.
Rose
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My deepest sympathies to Bill’s family. I’m sure he’s pickin’ somewhere in that big sky. RIP Bill.
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Very sad news for me. Bill took me under his wing in the mid 60s as a young Bell installer, teaching me the ropes of efficiency, leading to longer coffee breaks, chasing every possible overtime hour, playing in his band for a short while, peeling logs for his home in Howick, raising Siamese cats, learning a working man’s French following his fathers work as my high school teacher. Bill was a big and positive influence leaving only positive memories.
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Sorry for your loss.
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Sending sincere condolences to all of Bill’s family. We first met Bill when he would come and visit Dorothy at our work place, always smiling and kind to all of us. Then to listen to his music, what a privilege that was. Rest In Peace Bill.
Brenda Pownall & Jean Gauld
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My deppest sympathy to u Shawn and Brendon
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Sorry for your lost
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I was saddened to hear of Bill passing and send my deepest sympathies to all the family .
He will be forever in our thoughts and memories of good times .
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Brandon, Andrea, Shawn, Roselle and Dorothy, I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was a good man, a great friend and he will be missed by all who knew him. My deepest sympathies to all of you.
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Bill we sadly miss you but I’m sure you are playing a golden mandolin over there.
We will meet again Bill just keep on playing.
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Mes sympathies à toute la famille. Je garderai un bon souvenir de ses représentations avec Road Scholars.
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Our Condolences to Bill’s family.
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Our condolences to family and friends; our thoughts are with you!
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So sorry. He was a great brother-in-law and was an awesome uncle to Patrick
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Sincères sympathies
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Our sincere condolences to Bill’s family and close friends. We met years ago when I was setting up Lifeline in Howick. He became a volunteer and great resource person whenever telephone tech was needed. His smile and happy step always made my day. Thanks Bill!
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Please accept our sincere condolences, Dot, on the loss of your brother. How sad for you.
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Our Deepest Sympathies to all the families.
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Our sincere sympathy to all the family and friends of Bill.
Danny & Holly
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My condolences to Bill’s family.
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So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, he influenced me musically with numerous jam sessions, and allowed me to play in his band at a couple weddings. Even had rides in his 63 MGB, SORRY for family and friends loss.
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My deepest sympathies to Bill’s family and love ones. You will be truly missed.
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Our deepest sympathies. He will be missed.
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Our sincere sympathies to your entire family.
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I have many fond memories of playing guitar with Bill along my brother Jack. Bill was a very talented individual and willingly shared his passion for music with others. One of my biggest thrills as a teenager was going for a ride to Montreal in his MGB. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Bill.
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I have but fond memories of Bill, and he will be missed. My last visit with Bill was at his home in Howick 2 years ago with my father. We enjoyed a Rum and Coke (of course) by the River with he and Roselle, and it was a happy day all around. I will always cherish that day, and so many others at the “cabane” with the family. I offer my deepest condolences to Andrea, Brandon, Shawn, Roselle, and the extended family.
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My deepest sympathies to you Brandon and Andrea and your families.
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My deepest sympathies to you Brandon and Andrea, your dad was a special man and I am honored to have been a part of his life.
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The world is a sadder place without this very special man who always had a smile for everyone. There will always be an empty space in the musical world of the Chateauguay Valley. May he rest in peace and may his family be comforted by their many wonderful memories.
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My sincere condolences to the family. Bill’s music, his pride, generosity and his smile will continue to live on in us. I will always remember his love of Namur and his profound respect of his family roots. RIP Bill and happy reunion with all your loved ones above who await you.
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My deepest sympathies to all of you. Bill was a fixture in our family for as long as I can remember. He was a wit to be jousted and reckoned with, and a talent and personality to be respected and admired. He will be sadly missed by so many.
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My deepest sympathies to Bill Wilburn’s family. He was a very special man. Always happy, had a good joke and loved to talk about his family and Rosella.
Gladys
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Our Deepest sympathies to the Welburn family.
Always enjoyed seeing him in town and having a chat.
Our little town will miss him.
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Andrea, Brandon and Shawn,
Your dad, uncle Bill to Pat and I, has always been one of my very favorite people. He was always happy, funny, easy-going and up for a good time. Daren and I also share so many memories of him. I am so grateful to have known him. I am also grateful for his friendship with my own parents. He was and will always be part of our family. Thank you for the memories Uncle Bill! You will be missed. Andrea, Brandon, Shawn and extended family, please accept my deepest condolences.
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Thinking of you all at this difficult time, Neil and I always enjoyed our visits with Bill!
Our Sympathy to all of you! May your cherished memories give you comfort.
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To all of the family and Roselle
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to call him friend.
His love for his family, his pride in you all , sharing the photos always made him happy.
He was a good friend to so many over the years and his music has brightened many a soul.
No doubt, he will soon be organizing a new Band in Heaven.
Stay strong and hold tight to all the happy memories.
Sincerely, Sharon Higgins