Tribute Wall
Friday
20
May
Funeral Service
2:00 pm
Friday, May 20, 2022
Kaulbach Family Funeral Home - Annapolis
190 St. Anthony Street
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada
902-532-7555
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Christopher Eaton posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, May 21, 2022
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My name is Christopher Eaton, I was a coworker of Bill for over a year and I was there the night of his accident I want to say I'm truly sorry my attempts to bring him back from anything more than he was, my attempts may have been limited but know he had a strong heart and was there to listen to everyone's goodbyes and warm felt condolences
I'm truly sorry i missed his funeral service as I was not told the date.
Rest in peace Bill Down. And family I wish you the best on your healing moving forward.
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Wendy White posted a condolence
Friday, May 20, 2022
Eulogy
On behalf of my family, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for being here.
My name is Wendy and I am Bills niece.
Everyone has a favourite uncle right? Well I’m not sure it’s fair to name one but let’s just say if I did, my uncle Bill, my Buncle Bill, may be the top contender. As difficult as this is, I can’t express how honoured I am to stand here in front of all of you to celebrate and pay our respects to the incredible man he was.
Uncle Bill was born in Germany on November 14, 1961. He was the fourth child and second son of my Pop and Nan, Bill and Annette Down. Two years later the family of seven would become completely when the baby of the family, my mom Deanna was born.
As a military child uncle Bill was given the opportunity to practice his mischievous ways in Summerside Prince Edward Island, Borden Ontario and finally Cornwallis Nova Scotia before the family settled into their final home in Clementsport in 1977.
Throughout the years I’ve heard many many stories and uncle Bill definitely seemed to be plagued by good ole Murphy’s Law at times - if it could go wrong it did!
Hey Karen, like that time in Summerside when he threw a ball up over the house and took out the window of a car passing by on the other side.
Or Julie? That time a field mouse ran up his pant leg and wouldn’t come out! He ran home looking for help and nan locked the door ensuring neither him or the mouse got inside. Three weeks later a live mouse jumped out of the dryer vent and when Nan questioned uncle Bill he swore he didn’t know how it got there! Still one of life’s unsolved mysteries. a coincidence?
And just in case anybody would like to know…a Pinto can outrun a cop car!
In 1984 my Uncle John was in a serious motorcycle accident and was in critical condition in Edmonton. The eldest sister in the family, my Aunt Karen was the only other family in the province of Alberta so she was mainting a full time job while being the only hands on family support for John. Without hesitation uncle Bill packed up his belongings and headed across the country to be there for both of them. He stayed in Alberta for nearly a decade where he worked as a repo man and a flooring installer before once again, making the journey back across the country to Nova Scotia. My grandparents were experiencing health issues and he wanted to be there to support them in their later years of life.
Uncle Bill spent the next 15 ish years in Dartmouth where he had a career he loved working for Trident Pump and Filtration. Dedication and commitment were two of uncle Bill’s core values, and this became apparent in his professional life as well. He excelled at what he did and made many special friendships with his employers and industry colleagues.
After overcoming some life challenges in 2008, Uncle Bill moved down the valley and spent several years scallop fishing before securing a position at the Michelin Tire Plant in Waterville in 2019. He was very proud to be accepted by the Michelin team, felt appreciated and recognized for his strong work ethics and also enjoyed the camaraderie he had established with some of his coworkers.
He spent his final years living in Sheffield Mills and was known as a gentle soul by his friends and neighbours in the community.
We all know uncle Bill was always up for a good time and to share some laughs but what I think we will all remember the most was the love he had for his family.
As much as he would have loved to have children of his own, he didn’t. My mom always said it takes a village to raise a child he was a corner stone in the village that raised all of us kids. Myself, my brother Adam and my cousin Jennifer all have many cherished memories of quality time spent with uncle Bill growing up. He was the uncle that was on the floor playing with us if that’s what we wished for or outside tobogganing and building snowmen or cuddling with us on the couch while we watched a movie and ate yummy snacks. Basically whatever we needed or wanted, we just had to tell uncle Bill and could consider it done! Fortunately he was able to carry on these special relationships with his great niece and nephews as well.
The imprint of uncle Bill’s legacy shines through in all the children of our family. Some of us got his eternal optimism, some of us got the willingness to help anyone anywhere anytime (point at adam) and for certain, all of us got his love for rocking out to a good song! I’m not sure if any of you noticed, but the music we came into was an instrumental version of Cover Of The Rolling Stones by Dr Hook which I know held a special place in the hearts of many of our loved ones.
Nothing, absolutely nothing in this world meant more to uncle Bill than his family. He was always there during the lowest of lows and the highest of highs… He was always there for his family. Uncle Bill was a selfless man with a genuine heart that was made of pure love.
Following my high school graduation I moved to lower Sackville where I completed my diploma in travel and tourism. At the same time our pop was battling leukaemia down home in Clementsport so while my mom cared for him through the week my uncle Bill and my aunt Julie drove down every weekend to share in the caregiving. During this year uncle Bill picked me up every Friday in lower Sackville and drove me home, then picked me up down home every Sunday and drove me back to the city for the week of school ahead. During the many many hours we spent together on these car rides our, relationship only deepened now that I was an adult.
This time spent with uncle Bill was when I truly got to know his heart and not view him as just the fun uncle. We bonded over 80’s rock and loved to crank the windows down while singing at the top of our lungs. He could name any song and the artist within the first three notes of a song…it truly was incredible.
Years later, after I had moved out West and was going through a hard time as a young adult with no family nearby, Uncle Bill flew out to spoil me for a week. He loaded me up on groceries, took me see my favourite band, Def Leppard, filled my computer with the most incredible library of downloaded songs you’ve ever heard, but most importantly, filled my mind with sound advice and my heart with pure love.
I have a ton of sweet memories with him, and I could go on telling his tales for days, but I know that would only cover an ounce of his life and it would still be an imperfect explanation of someone I loved so much.
Uncle Bill was taken from us suddenly, and much too soon on May 12. Even though all of us here have shared many beautiful moments and made special memories I wish so much for one more hug, one more laugh and one more opportunity to tell him how much I love him.
During this time I think it’s important we focus on the good times to help carry us through this hard time which is the first of our lowest lows without having him here loving us through it.
Uncle Bill will forever remain an award-winning uncle. He might be gone, but his legacy lives on in the many lives he affected, especially mine. What I would like to ask of all of you here today is to help we, the family, continue to make this world a better place due to the influence of uncle Bill. Please remember that family is forever and throughout all of life’s hardships and challenges, love trumps all! Let’s all live the best life we can, following his principles that will be treasured by many generations in our family to come.
Rest easy my precious uncle Bill. You will be forever loved and missed.
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Barb wright lit a candle
Friday, May 20, 2022
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So sorry for your families loss , Billy will be missed by many ❤️
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Eric posted a condolence
Thursday, May 19, 2022
I worked with Bill for about 8 months, he was a tough Hard working guy who was always willing to help. He always had a story to tell, and talked a lot about his younger years. I guess that’s why I started calling him Wild Bill. In the mornings I would Say good morning Wild Bill in the Cadillac Deville. I’d get a Big smile and a good morning back. My condolences to the family and friends missing Bill at this time.
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Greg Wagner lit a candle
Thursday, May 19, 2022
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Bill was such a great guy. He will be missed everyday. May you rest in peace, Bill. Greg Wagner
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Stephanie lit a candle
Thursday, May 19, 2022
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We fondly remember Billy in our early days in our family run business, we dealt with him daily as he worked for a company in dartmouth.
He always had a smile, a story or a word of advice to give, glad we had a chance to get to know him, he will be missed.Condolences to his family.
Stephanie & Ian
Neptune Water Systems
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Marilee Simons posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. His dad was my cousin and it is sad to see someone so young leaving us.
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Sandra and Bob Cook lit a candle
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
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So very sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences to all the family and friends.
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Trident Pump & Filtration Andrew Crawshaw and Joe Chabassol donated to HEART STROKE FOUNDATION NOVA SCOTIA
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
We were so sorry to read about Bill's passing. The photos that are on the website are testament to the wonderful family that he had and how you all take care of each other. Please accept our condolences.
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Don Hill posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
I worked in the same shop as Bill and he had some great stories. My sympathy to his family..
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Elaine Marshall posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
So sorry Didi and all your family for your terrible loss of your Brother. Hugssss
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Brad hubbard lit a candle
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
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I worked with Bill for a short time I did not know him well but he was an amazing person and was great working with him he will be missed by all who knew him sorry for your loss
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Peter Burns posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Bill worked for me during my last year with Michelin before I retired in February of 2020. He was such a great sole and was a pleasure to work with. I have great memories of Bill during our time together and was heart broken to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family during this most difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Paul Holland posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
So sorry for your loss, Bill was a gentle and kind Man who had many stories, some funny, some serious and some sad, but all of them were told from Bills Heart, we sat many times together in the Cafeteria or a quick Hello as we passed coming and going to Break at Michelin. I will miss him and will think of Bill often. Rest well my Friend.
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Victor and Joan Cox posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
So sorry to hear the news of Bill's passing. Our thoughts are with the entire family at this difficult time. Bill was a wonderful neighbour .
Victor and Joan Cox
Sheffield Mills
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Donna & Kevin Dykens lit a candle
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
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So sorry for the loss of Bill, he would always give awave,or a hi when ever we we outside, very good neighbour.Will miss his coming and going from work ,we would always say "Bills home "
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Jim lit a candle
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
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Hi. My name is Jim. I worked with Bill when he first came to Michelin as a contractor. Bill was in our shop for about 8 months. He was a great judge of character...but it was to Bills' "character standard". Bill did not like lazy people, even if it was just the perception of lazy. If you walked more than 10 feet and you weren't carrying something, or returning with something, then you just wasted your time ...and you are probably lazy. If you were trained on a production post and you had been there more than 2 months, but struggled to get the required production....there was nothing wrong with the machine, you were probably lazy. His fishing, work and Cadillac stories were larger than life and full of energy...just like the storyteller. We all miss him, but are thankful that we were able to experience a brief moment with our great friend. "Wherever you land sir, make sure they do their share!".
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Heather, Bruce & Jason Bennett lit a candle
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
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To his entire family, please accept our sincere condolences. We did not know Bill real well but spoke to him on a few occasions and he was a very friendly and quiet neighbour. He did bring us fish a couple of times which was greatly appreciated.
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SHERRY ELLEN ROBINSON posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
I am in shock over Bills passing. He was so young and SO loved by his family. My thought are with all of you during this very difficult time, I'm sure Uncle Bill, Aunt Annette and mom and dad (Aunt Edna and Uncle Paul) met him with a big hug and kiss. My condolences to the family.
Sherry (Down) Robinson
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Wendy White uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
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The family of William Andrew Down uploaded a photo
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
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