KENNEDY
William Wallace ~ The family of William Wallace Kennedy of Bookton are sad to share the news of Wallace's passing on Sunday, February 4th, 2018 at the Sakura House Hospice in Woodstock.
Wallace was in his 83rd year. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, ending a short, intense struggle with lung cancer.
Wallace is survived by his much-beloved wife, Eleanor (nee Frew); daughter Donna Kennedy-Glans (Laurie Glans), daughter Diane Dyment (Dave Dyment), son A.R. Kennedy (Michelle Truppe); five grandchildren- Graydon Glans (Renee Farrell), Mitchell Glans, Linda Hegedus (Andrew Hegedus), Liam Glans and Paul Dyment; and one great-grandson, James Hegedus.
Wallace was born on May 17th, 1935, second son to Grace (nee Elliott) and Israel Almanzor Rianzi Kennedy, on the Kennedy family farm at the intersection of Otterville Road and Baseline Road. Wallace was predeceased by brother, Ronald, in 1990. Younger sister, Joyce Lockwood, lives in Vancouver with her husband David.
Wallace and Eleanor were married on April 12th, 1958. They raised dairy cattle, then beef cattle, at a family farm on Windham Road 5, near Bookton, from 1958 to 1990 when their farm was expropriated by Ontario Hydro. Wallace and Eleanor then moved to another family farm on Windham Road 6 where they grew cash crops including tobacco, then ginseng.
Wallace loved sports. He played baseball, football and hockey, and coached teams after he no longer played himself. He was an avid hunter, and particularly enjoyed deer hunting at Silverwater on Manitoulin Island.
Wallace attended elementary school at a one-room schoolhouse in Bookton, where Margaret Ryder, his aunt, was the teacher. He went to Norwich High School.
Family and friends will be received at the ARN-LOCKIE FUNERAL HOME, 45 Main Street West, Norwich, ON, 519-863-3020, on Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 pm and Wednesday from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Alan Dowber to officiate. Wallace will be buried at Bookton Cemetery, with a reception to follow at Bookton Presbyterian Church.
Wallace and Eleanor have been active members of Bookton Presbyterian Church for decades. Donations to this church are welcomed. As well, the Sakura House Hospice in Woodstock has been a kind and gentle place; donations to the hospice are also welcomed.