Obituary of William James Magee

William (Bill) Magee Peacefully at Parkwood Veteran's Hospital surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, August 18th, 2016, Ret. Lt. Cdr. William (Bill) James Magee of London five days short of his 99th birthday. Beloved husband for 68 years of the late Betty Stewart Magee (2013). Loving father of Rhonda and the late Richard Manore (2012) of Grand Bend, Kelvin and Andrea Magee of Kilworth and Shona Magee and José Corniellis of Mississauga. Proud grandfather of Melissa and Jeremy Magee-Reid of Exeter, Morgan and Matthew Magee-McIntosh of Airdrie, Alberta and his great-grandchildren Macie, Max, Koleson and Shelby. Dear brother of Vernon (Alice) Magee of Thorburn, Nova Scotia and the late Iva (James) Roper of Nepean. Bill will be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews Nadine, Valda, Vernon Jr. and Nauldine. At Bill’s request there will be no visitation. The Celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, 2240 Wharncliffe Road S., Lambeth, (519) 652-2020 on Thursday, August 25th, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Cremation with interment Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens at a later date. Donations to the Parkinson Society of Southwestern Ontario or Charity of Choice gratefully acknowledged. On-line condolences are available through www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca A special thank you to Parkwood Veteran's Hospital staff (Western Counties Wing and Ward 5B South) for your care and compassion. Thank you also to “Family, Friends and the wonderful staff” at the Royalcliffe Retirement Residence. MAGEE, William James (Bill) – peacefully at Parkwood Veterans Hospital, London, Ontario on Thursday, August 18, 2016 surrounded by his family. Born on August 23, 1917 in Eureka, Nova Scotia to the late William and Hazel Magee, he was the oldest son of three children. His wife, Betty Stewart Magee, set out to share his Canadian life as a war bride in 1945 and passed away 68 years later on February 17th, 2013. Mr. Magee attended Pictou Academy, Nova Scotia and, after graduating with honours in 1934, joined the Royal Bank of Canada in Shearbrook . He was promoted and transferred to various maritime branches in Lawrencetown, Kentville and, eventually, Charlottetown where he was residing when Britain declared war on Germany on December 03rd, 1939. Lieutenant Commander Magee voluntarily enlisted as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy on September 27th, 1940, served overseas throughout WWII and fought in the Korean War. During his military career he was posted to about fifteen different assignments at naval bases or aboard Canadian destroyers around the world. Lifetime member of Vimy Branch 145, Royal Canadian Legion and Naval (Officers) Association of Canada. Medals he earned during his naval service are: Defense Medal War Medal (1939 – 1945) Korea Medal (1950 – 1953) Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (Maple Leaf) Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea United Nations Service Medal Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal Canadian Queens Golden Jubilee Medal Canadian Forces Decoration Medals earned after retirement from the navy: Naval Officers Association of Canada Bronze Medal Commissionaires Long Service Medal Golden Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II (2002) 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada Medal Mr. Magee eventually retired from HMCS Prevost, in London, Ontario on April 09, 1965. Subsequently, he enjoyed careers with the London Life Insurance Company and, latterly, the London Board of Education. He was past-President of Kings College Board of Directors, the London Optimists, London-Middlesex Kiwanis, Administrative Management Society, Personnel Association of Middlesex, former Chairman of the Board of Managers for Oakridge Presbyterian Church and has volunteered for countless charitable services over the years. His three children will cherish his memory - Rhonda Manore, Kelvin (Andrea) Magee and Shona (José) Magee-Corniellis. Their beloved “Papa” will live long in the hearts of his grand-children, Melissa (Jeremy) Reid of Exeter, Ontario and Morgan (Matt) Magee-McIntosh, of Airdrie, Alberta and great-grandchildren, Macie, Max, Koleson and Shelby. Mr. Magee is survived by a brother, Vernon (Alice) Magee, of Thorburn, Nova Scotia, and by his cousins, nieces, and nephews – Violet Langley, Nadine (Ian) Cottrell, Valda (Allan) Jackson, Vern (Sharon) Magee and Nauldine (Robert) Martell. Pre-deceased by his sister Iva Constance (James) Roper. Donations to the Parkinson Society of Canada, Ivey Eye Institute, Kiwanis Club of Middlesex Bequest and Endowment Fund, London, St. Joseph's Hospice Resource Centre of Sarnia or a charity of your choice will be appreciated.