Peacefully at LHSC – Victoria Hospital, on Friday, September 6, 2019 of London, at the age of 64. Cherished partner and best friend of Bonnie Verbruggen for 36 years. Loved son of Betty (Ellwood) Prest of McGillivray Township and the late George, and son-in-law of June (Morrice) Verbruggen of Chatham and the late Peter. Proud father of Scott Prest and Tonya Hickton of McGillivray Township, and Teri Prest Caron and Joedy Caron of London. Loving Papa Bill of Anita Hickton. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Cindy and Kevin Davidson of Nanaimo, BC, Penny Verbruggen and Andrew Boeyenga of St. Catharines, and Kim Verbruggen of Fort St. John, BC. He is remembered by his nephew, several nieces, and extended family.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 223 Main Street, LUCAN on Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 PM, where the funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 12th at 11 AM. Pastor Dawn Hill, officiating. Private family interment Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham.
Donations to Aplastic Anemia & Myelodysplasia Association of Canada would be appreciated by the family.
Henry Eastabrook
Very belated sympathies to Bill’s loved ones. Bill was a regular visitor to our bookstore, The Book Brothers, back in the 1980’s & 1990’s when he was an avid collector of old popular culture artifacts. I also chatted with Bill many times since then at the VIA station, and he always remembered me and I certainly remembered him for the kind and generous man he was; always smiling and cheerfully helpful.
I am sorry for the late condolences, I only learned of Bill’s passing incidentally, just a few minutes ago, while researching something completely unrelated online and I wanted to share a memory and acknowledge the loss of a fine human being.
Henry Eastabrook
Rob Marshall
I am sorry for your loss. Bill was a good guy. I pass by the house Bill and Cindy grew up quite regular and wonder how things were going. Rob.
Doug Leinweber
What a Shock to hear of Bills passing.
He was a great guy and true friend.
Bonnie I’m sure he has left you with many many memories of good times.
That in itself is a great legacy.
Kathy and Doug Leinweber
Angie and Mike Moore
Sending everyone our sincere condolences after learning of Bill’s passing. We both worked with him during our early years and there was never a dull moment. He always spoke highly of his family and was a kind, loyal person. He always had our backs at work and whether you agreed with his approach or not his heart was always in the right place. You’ll be missed Bill and thanks for all the fond memories.
Beryl and Noam Chernick
Dear Betty
May Bill’s memory be a blessing for you, for his wife and the rest of the family.
Best regards
Beryl and Noam Chernick
Bob Dykstra
I am so sad to hear of Bill’s passing. My condolences to Bonnie Betty Scott and Teri. Bill was a true friend
and I will miss truly miss him
Gerber Eric and Sue
Dear Betty Bonnie Teri Scott and families
We are sorry to hear of Bill’s passing.
Will be thinking if you during this time of loss.
With sympathy
Sue and Eric Gerber and families
Sheila and James Phipps
So sorry to hear that Bill had passed away. I well remember meeting him at the Sutherlands on January 25th 1985, when Bill, his girlfriend, my son Will and I were sheltering from the awful blizzard.
Our prayers are with Betty, Scott and the rest of the family.
God Bless
James and Sheila Phipps
Mike and Lena Hodgins
So sorry hear of Bill’s passing. Our heartfelt condolences to the family. May you cherish your memories of him.
Carmelina
Whenever Bill prepared to launch into an anecdote, it always began with, “ Back in the day……”, that was your cue to pull up a chair and put yer feet up. Always at work, of course.
Rest In Peace, Brother
Carmen & Scott
Dalphine Schenning
Condolences to Scott and Tonya in the loss of your father our deepest sympathy to you and your family
John Winter
Bonnie….. We are so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was always a great guy to work with. If Bill considered you his friend you had a friend for life John & Linda Winter
Brian Urbach
Am going to miss Bill. He was a kind man and loved work and life he will be missed by all will miss going for a pint rip my friend
Jim Sevigny
I first met Bill back in January 2005 working at Via rail, I didn’t know what to expect. Bill walked up to me and introduced himself, welcomed me to Via and said feel free to ask any questions you might have. Over the years i couldn’t have asked for a better friend to have when I needed someone to talk to for any reason. My deepest condolences to Bonnie and all of Bills family. You are one of the greats, rest in peace bud. I will miss you more than you could possibly imagine.
Jim (jimbo) Sevigny
Kathy Del Papa & Wally Wilmink
Rest In Peace Bill. You will be remembered as kind and thoughtful man, willing to do anything for anybody. We have many happy memories of times shared together at work in London. To Bonnie and all the family and friends who share this loss, we are thinking of you and wishing you strength as you go forward.
Wally & Kathy
Corrinna
My genuine condolences to everyone who knew and loved Bill. I spent a brief amount of time with him, but through my brother and sister-in-law, I knew him to be a warm and loving person. I will always remember his heartfelt and joyful words spoken at Teri and Joe’s wedding. He will be missed.
Much love to the family.
Cindy Berg
Bonnie ..So sorry to hear about Bill.He will surely be missed. He left us all way too young.
Thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
Kim and Mike Scott
Our condolences to the Prest family , Bill will be greatly missed , our community is small but his presence on our road will be remembered and cherished for ever , our thoughts and prayers to his children as it is never easy to loose a parent ????????
Don McMaster
Bill was a great friend and co-worker and we had many fun times and laughs playing ball, also having a few pints after the games. He will be dearly missed by everyone.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Bonnie and your family.
Donnie and Dianne
Cassy Amerato
Bonnie,
Thinking about you and yours at this time along with my deepest sympathy.
Cassy
Danny Andru
I worked with Bill for many years and am so sorry to hear about his passing.
Julius Zemaitis
Julius and Adele. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to you Bonnie and to the family.
Martin Cahill
Bonnie, Bill was a wonderful guy. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Not only had we worked shoulder to shoulder….. we tipped a few glasses. His laugh you could recognize in a crowd of hundreds. He was soft spoken …. but two things……. yah don’t piss him off…. and when called upon he’s got your back….
Rest in Peace Bill, and get ready, ’cause there’s a shit load of us comin’ to the Pearly Gates, within the next few years.
Marty Cahill
Jonathan
So sorry for your loss, Bill was an amazing guy. My condolences to all
Kenneth Cameron
I knew Bill through work. He was a dedicated union représentative, and he was strike captain for South Western Ontario at negotiation time. Full of life and good natured. Rest in peace. My sympathy to his family.
John and Charlene Vermeulen
So sorry for your loss Bonnie. Bill was a great guy. Our sincere sympathy.
John and Charlene XO
Conrad
So sorry of to hear of Bill passing, our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the family and via Rail co-workers,our prayers and thoughts are with you in these very difficult times…..
Susan Parkin
Bonnie, I am so sorry for your loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Susan
Toni
So sorry to hear of the passing of our railroad brother. My condolences to the family.
Karen Cornelissen
Betty & family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our deepest sympathy to all the family.
Sandi Brintnell
Betty, Scott and Teri and families
Sending our condolences to you and your families. Never easy to loose a part of your life. Sending hugs to you all.
Sandi and Rob Brintnell
Joan Scott
My sympathy to Scott, Tonya Teri and Joey and Betty. Bill fought a good battle for quite awhile.
Ross McLeod
Bill was a true friend to everyone. My condolences on your loss
Bob and Anne
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, another good guy gone far to early.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Bonnie.
Bob and Anne