William "Bill" Wilson

Wilson, Bill

November 15, 1941 - August 30, 2021

It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of a kind and talented man.  Bill Wilson peacefully passed away on August 30, 2021, at the Queensway Carleton Hospital with family by his side. Bill leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend Anne Axworthy, his sisters Mary and the late Marjorie, his children Scott (Joslyn) and Julie, grandchildren Spencer, Hannah and Lexie and many nieces and nephews.  Bill will also be remembered and missed by many friends.

Bill was born on November 15, 1941, at Ottawa's Grace Hospital.  He was a chartered accountant and worked with Arthur A. Crowley & Co and their successor companies including KPMG for 60 years over which time he served some of the same clients, but Bill's true passion was music.  By 1960, the same year he graduated from Nepean High School, he had attained Grade 10 in both piano and pipe organ from the Toronto Conservatory of Music. That same year he sang lead in a high school barbershop quartet and that was the first high school competition ever sponsored by the Capital City Chorus.  The year prior he won an organ scholarship in the Ottawa Music Festival.

Over the years, Bill was heavily involved with numerous barbershop choruses both as a performer and as a director.  These included Capital City Chorus, Laurentianaires of The Barbershop Harmony Society, and Aged in Harmony. In 1997, he directed Capital City Chorus at the Ontario District Championship and was named “Barbershopper of the Year”.  He also sang baritone in many quartets.

Along with Anne, he co-directed the Ottawa Carleton Police Chorus from 1994-1999 culminating in a 13-day concert tour of Germany.  He and Anne founded and directed Crosstown Harmony of Harmony Inc.  He attended numerous barbershop conventions throughout North America.  He also attended the Society Harmony College and Director's College in St. Joseph, Missouri on several occasions.

Most recently, Bill was the lead tenor, musical mentor, and assistant director (along with Anne) of Voices in Harmony (formerly Orpheus Choral Group). He particularly enjoyed the Christmas show when he played Santa and handed out stuffed animals to the children. He truly loved children, particularly babies, and he was the director and treasurer of Children at Risk for several years.

Outdoor visitation will be held at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Road (between Bayshore and Baseline Rd), Nepean on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 1 p.m. until time of service at 2 p.m.  A reception will follow.  Due to the current COVID restrictions, attendance is limited and pre-registration is required and can be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com/obituary/WilliamBill-Wilson or by calling 613-722-6559 .  For those unable to attend in person a live stream of the service will be available on the tribute page at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com/obituary/WilliamBill-Wilson.  In lieu of flowers, a donation to Voices in Harmony,  Ladies of the Day or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.