William “Bill” Grant
ADVOCATE HARBOUR – G. William “Bill” Grant, age 100, of Advocate Harbour passed away peacefully on Friday, July 21, 2017 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Upper Nappan.
Born in Apple River, he was a son of the late Wellington and Utah (Milton) Grant.
When Bill was five years old, his family moved to Spencer's Island. There he attended grade school, and later went to Advocate to complete high school. Upon graduation, he went to Wolfville and completed a commercial business course at Horton Academy of Acadia University.
Returning to Advocate upon completion, he was employed with H.E. & E.J. Grant in the general merchants retail store business.
During the Second World War, he served with the R.C.A.F. in the radar division with postings along the Atlantic Seaboard and Newfoundland.
Upon his return from the war, he came back to the store business as a partner and shareholder with the firm of Grants Advocate Limited.
In November of 1945, he married Vola A. Morris of Advocate after a long courtship due to his service during the war. Vola passed in 2007 after more than 60 years of wonderful and happy years together.
In 1974, the store business was sold at which time he was appointed by Canada Post as postmaster at the Advocate Harbour office where he remained until his retirement at age 65.
Bill had served as a secretary to the local trustee board of Bayview Memorial Hospital for many years, was a trustee and secretary to the local board of the Advocate District School for several years, was a member of the Advocate Super Seniors Club, belonged to square and round dance clubs in Advocate and Amherst, received special recognition from the Kidney Foundation for many years of canvassing as a volunteer, was a member of the Advocate United Church for many years serving on the various boards and committees and was a life member of the session, was a member of the choir for more than 50 years and was also a trustee and secretary of the church manse. He was a member of Myrtle Lodge Knights of Pythias for many years before it closed.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Patricia “Pat” Stronge (Eric), Advocate Harbour; granddaughters, Andrea Harpell (Curtis), Crowe’s Mills; Janice Beaton (Kinnon), Onslow; a great granddaughter, Holly Rafuse; a great grandson, Drew Rafuse; step-great granddaughter, Alex Harpell; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Vola; sisters, Marion and Della; a brother, Cecil.
Visitation took place Monday (July 24, 2017) in the Advocate United Church, where funeral service was held 2 p.m. on Tuesday (July 25, 2017), the Rev. Dan Gunn officiating. Burial in the Advocate Cemetery. Reception followed at the Advocate Fire Hall.
Memorial donations may be made to the Advocate United Church or to Recreation Programs of Bayview Memorial Health Centre. Arrangements entrusted to Smith’s Funeral Home, Parrsboro. Online condolences at www.smithsfuneralhome.com .