In memory of our beloved life member— Bill Donald

Gordon Jones
President

It is so sad to have to inform you that Bill Donald has passed away.
For all those that have known Bill Donald our lives have been touched by a man of great generosity and dedication to Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club. Bill’s efforts and care were not only recognized by the Club when he was made a Life member, but also by the Province when he received the Volunteer of the Year award only a few years ago.
Without Bill the Club would have struggled to function, while he was the Greenskeeper for many years, he took great pride in delivering the best greens in Toronto, and greens for two National Championships. He was so well respected the City staff would give their all to ensure we had what he required for the club. Bill also was regularly the Drawmaster , he was often the Umpire, and even a regular Sponsor of Tournaments. No one has given more to the Club than Bill Donald.
Bill was a friend to everyone, knowledgeable, humble and a great advisor to many of us.
Goodbye Bill, you will not be forgotten.

Lisa Erikson

Bill
I will miss you meeting me with a smile
that was always your welcoming style
I will miss your hints and tips you were always giving
with these we can keep those old lawn bowling bowls rolling

Julie and Eric Bergman

When Julie and I started working at the clubhouse and on the greens during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, we were convinced that Bill didn’t quite know what to make of us.

He had certain ways of doing things and we were invading a space he had called his own for many years.

But over the past three seasons, Bill seemed to become increasingly comfortable with what we were doing. Our goals were always the same. We want to support the club in whatever way we can.

Bill had a giving soul. He was named a life member of the club. But no accolade can ever do justice to the ways in which he supported Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club over a span of more than 30 years.

Bill was independent. If you opened the clubhouse door for him, he would say “thank you” but the look he gave you as he rolled into the clubhouse clearly said “I had that.”

I once made the mistake of offering to help him put his scooter into the back of his Mazda. The scooter broke down into two pieces, which he would separate before he putting into the trunk. He said “no, thank you” to my offer, but it was obvious from his body language that he was mulling over braining me with the part of the scooter that was going into the trunk. In a nice way, of course.

I never offered again.

Bill taught us a lot about the club and the greens. His institutional knowledge was incredibly valuable and will shape the nature of our relationship with the City of Toronto for many years to come.

He was always willing to lend a hand. On numerous occasions, Bill would be supervising our work and we would need a specific tool or piece of equipment. Before we had a chance to turn around and ask, he and his scooter were already on the way to the tool shed to get what was needed.

So, thank you, Bill, for everything you’ve done for Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club. Your influence will be felt for many, many years to come.

And we are both incredibly humbled to have gotten to know you better.

May you rest in peace, our friend.

Nancy Fish

Sad sad day what a wonderful man- we were so lucky to have him in our lives- bless him he will be so missed.

David Clarke

We will be lost for a while but his spirit should sustain us RIP