William Murray 'Will' MacAulay
Passed on: December 18th, 2008
86, Glace Bay William MacAulay, 86, of Taigh Na Mara Nursing Home, Glace Bay, passed away Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008. Born in Glace Bay, Will was the son of the late Jim and Annabelle MacAulay. Will was a member of St. John's Church, Glace Bay. He was employed at numbers 1B, 26, 20 collieries, and retired from the Devco machine shop in Glace Bay. Will was a veteran of the Second World War, obtaining the title of sergeant and serving overseas in Italy, Holland and France for five years. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 3, Glace Bay. Will loved to read, travel and was an avid sports enthusiast, playing both basketball and baseball. He was very active in his church and was on the board of directors of the Coady Credit Union for 30 years. Will was a very gentle man who will be remembered for the great love and compassion he gave to his wife, children and grandchildren. Will is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary (Kelly) MacAulay; one son, Gary (Nancy) MacAulay; and one daughter, Belinda (Ralph) Hoffman, both in Glace Bay. Will is also survived by his five grandchildren whom he greatly adored, Chad, Ryan, Jill Hoffman, Luke and Brianna MacAulay. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family and was predeceased by four sisters, Alice May, Katie Belle, Sadie, Christine, two brothers, John and Gus. Visitation will be held Sunday, Dec. 21 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. The funeral mass will be celebrated Monday at 2 p.m. in St. John's Church followed by interment in the parish cemetery. Veterans and legion members will form an honour guard in memory of their comrade at the church entrance. As an expression of sympathy for William, donations in his memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Alzhiemers Association or a charity of one's choice. Condolences can also be sent to the MacAulay family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Just A Common Soldier He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion telling stories of his past. Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes, every one. And though sometimes to his neighbours, his tales became a joke, All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bill has passed away, And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today. He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles that others often start. If we cannot give him honour, while he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days. Perhaps a simple notice in a paper that would say, "Our country is in mourning, cause a soldier passed away."
