William Casley

Casley, William Harry

BGen, retired

May 19, 1923 - August 20, 2020

Kanata, Ontario

The Casley family announces the passing of their beloved Father, Grandfather and Great-grandfather William Harry “Bill” Casley on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at the age of 97.  Predeceased by his beloved wife Elizabeth. Held in loving memory by his Daughters Peggy-Ann McGonigal and Susan Toll and his son Bill (Laura). Grandfather to Melissa Casley (Scott Derbyshire), Patricia (Brandon Trotter), Kaitlin Casley, Bonnie McGonigal and Anna Toll. Great-grandfather to Edward Trotter.  Bill was born in The Lizard, Cornwall, England and remained a Cornishman at heart.  Brigadier General Casley joined the RAF as a Pilot Officer in 1941 and served in England, Burma and India, flying Hurricanes and Mosquitos with 45 and 82 Squadrons until the war's end in 1945. He left the RAF in 1946 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.  From 1946-1951 he attended the College of Aeronautical Engineering, London followed by the College of Aeronautics at Cranfield, where he obtained his M.Sc. in Aircraft Propulsion.  In 1951, Bill joined the RCAF where he served as the project engineer on the Orenda Iroquois engine designed for the Avro Arrow. In 1956, Bill was transferred to No. 1 Fighter Wing in France, flying Sabres.  In 1962, he attended the Air Force Staff College and subsequently completed a one-year tour of duty on the Canadian Defence Liaison staff in Washington, DC. He subsequently served as Project Manager for the RCAF project to acquire the CF-5 aircraft.  In 1972, Bill attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in London while the family spent an idyllic year in Hertfordshire.  Bill returned to Ottawa in 1973, where he was promoted to Brigadier General and became Director General of Aerospace Engineering and Maintenance, a position he held until the end of his military career in 1976.  He was an Associate Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Fellow of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute.  Bill was an avid golfer and was privileged to be the Founder President of the Hylands Golf Club in Ottawa.  The family wishes to thank the staff of the ACE unit of the Queensway Carleton Hospital for their professionalism and compassion.  For those wishing, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army at https://donate.salvationarmy.ca .  Cremation has taken place. A family gathering to remember Bill will be held at a later date.  Condolences, tributes and donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com