WHELAN, William (Bill) Pius, Col (Ret’d), CD, Air Logistics, RCAF
Bill passed away in Ottawa in his sleep on 11 May 2024. Born in Bear River Prince Edward Island on 9 July 1931, Bill was devoted to family, Church, and Country. He is survived by his wife, Mary Alvire Whelan (nee LeClair) and five sons: Kevin (Jan, children Jordan (Natasha, child Matteo), and Elizabeth); Mark (Kim, children Kevin (Alexe, child Dax), Emily (Justin, children Bennett and Charlie), and Amy); Paul (Charity, children Elisha and Kotton); Glen (Colette, children Mackenzie (grandchild Marshal), and Drew;); and Gary (Lisa, children Owen and Brian).
Bill served as a Logistics officer in the RCAF. Postings included Edmonton, Toronto, Lac St Denis, Moncton, Sacramento and Ottawa. He retired as a Colonel in 1980. Following retirement, he went on to serve as a Public Servant for a few years before taking his full retirement.
He and his lovely wife, Mary spent long summers in Prince Edward Island at their cottage on the Bay in Rusticoville enjoying their beloved Prince Edward Island views. Each Fall would see them return to Ottawa where many of their sons and friends remained throughout the years with their grandchildren and great grandchildren close by or often visiting.
Bill loved his family and his Church. His days were spent trying to keep five boys busy and working on files at National Defence such as the CF-18 purchase (yes, our fighter jets are that old). He was definitely known as ‘Mr. Whelan’ or ‘Sir’ to his sons’ friends, many of these friends to this day have memories of those years of the Whelan boys being a good family to call if you wanted to get a neighbourhood game of baseball, football, or ball hockey together. With the Church he provided leadership and guidance on councils and helped to raise funds and build two Churches (Annunciation of the Lord in Beacon Hill North and Good Shepherd in Orleans/Blackburn Hamlet).
All are invited to attend a funeral on Tuesday 18 June 2024 at 11am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church 3092 Innis Road. Interment to follow at a later date in PEI at Stella Maris Cemetery in Rustico. Those wishing to send a message to the family may do so by sending an email to billwhelanfamily@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, family request donations to a couple of Bill’s favourite charities of the Ottawa Mission or the Ottawa Food Bank in his memory