William Angus 'Billie' Petrie
Born In: West Bay Road
Born: November 7th, 1941
Passed in: Balls Creek
Passed on: December 22nd, 2015
It is with deep sadness and heartfelt loss we announce the passing of an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, William Angus 'Billie' Petrie, who lost his battle with cancer on Monday, Dec. 22, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family at the age of 74.
Billie was the son of the late John and Hilda (MacDonald) Petrie and was born in New Waterford on Nov. 7, 1941, but was raised in West Bay Road.
As a young man he moved to Ontario with his future wife Anne Murray, where they were they were married and lived for a short time before returning to West Bay Road to raise their two young sons.
Throughout his illness he never lost his hope or fight, and right to the end was determined to get back to West Bay Road, and his treehouse in the woods for the one more hunting season, showing us all what real courage and determination is.
Billie was one of the founding members of the West Bay Road District Volunteer Fire Department, which was in 1975. He remained a member until 1979 when he moved to his present home in Balls Creek due to a change in employment. Although he lived in Balls Creek, home to him was always West Bay Road and he went back every weekend he had the chance.
His family was an important part of his life and always came first. His passion for hunting and fishing and helping others was second to none and you could always see a special glow in his eyes whenever you were with him in the woods. In late spring, summer and early fall, if he wasn’t fishing or in his garage repairing something for someone, you just had to look behind his house and you would find him in his garden, which he took a great amount of pride in.
Billie enjoyed watching sports, especially if it was children or grandchildren playing or the local Sydney Sooners baseball team which he followed and cheered for over the years. He was also always there to help when help was needed, no matter how big or small the problem or if you were friend or family. For those people that knew him personally, they were richer for it. As years passed he began to display a patient gentle side that seemed to show with his grandchildren and even his great-grandson as he would try and bestow his knowledge of hunting, fishing, mechanics and general things in life. At the time of his illness, he was owner of Bill Petrie Trucking Ltd., where he had a truck leased to Seaboard Transport while he himself was employed with Robby’s Tractor Trailer Service where he continued to work even through his early treatments.
Over the years he made many friends and memories at jobs such as at Robby’s, Mercer Fuels and Pioneer Ready Mix, and many of those friendships he still had and cherished till today.
Besides his parents, Billie was predeceased by his brother, Johnny.
He is survived and will be sadly missed by his wife of 51 years, Anne (Murray) Petrie; sons, Billy (Debbie), New Victoria; Robbie (Pam), Lingan Road; and Warren, Sydney; daughter, Nadine (Jimmy), Halifax; grandsons, BJ (Ashley), James, Asher, Ryan, Daniel; granddaughter, Erika; great-grandson, Jonathon; brothers, Stephen (Lillian), George (Carolyn); sister, Marilyn (Les) Harriet, Helen (Carl); and two special brothers-in-law, Lonnie and Robert (Isabelle); as well as many nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 27, in Chant’s Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Visitation will also be held in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville St., Port Hawkesbury, on Tuesday, Dec. 29, from 2-8 p.m. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 30, in St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, West Bay Road with Fr. Conrad Edwards officiating. Burial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Margaret's Parish Cemetery Fund, Cape Breton Cancer Centre, Palliative Care, VON or the charity of one's choice.
A special thanks to C.B. Cancer Centre as well as Dr. Worth, Dr. Mac Gory, Dr. Pahil, Dr. Critchley and Dr. Ritter. Also to Cathy MacMillan from palliative care and the VON Nurses for their wonderful care.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com.
“Love you Dad, Rest in Peace”
“Today a Golden Heart Stopped Beating”
