William Marshall

I am greatly saddened by the news from Kathy of Bill’s sudden passing. Woodshows without his presence will never be the same for me now -I enjoyed his warm greeting, quick smile and sense of humour. He was always genuinely concerned about others and was a real in the moment person. He had a kindness of spirit and integrity that made one want to contribute to his and Kathy’s wood show successes. I cannot imagine how his wife and close family members are feeling right now – you are in my prayers. Few people give of themselves so naturally and I personally will miss you Bill. Thank you for your kindness and make sure we get some passes into heaven, okay. Mary-Ann

I am so sorry Norah!! Thinking of you and your family. Sally Brand

Bill, Kathy and I worked together, for a number of years on the Ottawa wood show. We would talk on the phone a few times a year to organize the advertising and meet just once every year at the show. I think Bill and I spent more time talking about golf and hockey than the show. My son in law was an assistant coach with Kitchener for a few years and Bill followed the games along with his London Knights. He was always curious about how he and his family were doing in a new city. We were both golfers, but never played together. We shared stories about the game and his passion for it. He was kind, friendly, honest and always in good humour. Bill was one of those people you looked forward to seeing and talking to. He was one of a kind and will truly be missed. My sympathies go out to his family.

Larry Kelly

Larry Kelly

Larry Kelly

Bill was a rare personality….he was the type of man that with a 5 minute conversation would make you feel you had been friends for decades. Having worked with Bill for several years at his wood shows, I’ve had the privilege of partaking in several of these conversations, and from our first to our last, his genuine warmth never failed to shine through.

Bill will be truly missed both as a figurehead in the woodworking industry, and as a respected friend.

On behalf of myself and my family, let me offer our sincerest condolences to Bill’s family and friends.

Rest in peace my friend.

Ryan Shervill

Dear Craig, Jessica, Kyle and Nora; I cannot explain what I am feeling for all of you at this time. This is such shocking and sorrowful news. I hope you find strength in the coming days and that the support and love of your friends and family will help. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. With love, Kathie xo

The news of Bill’s sudden passing is still a shock for me. Kathy sent me a note the other night to let me know and my first thought of Bill was his smiling face and great laugh. I can think of many times speaking with him, always very supportive and happy , a man with The Common Touch and always an ear to listen, but also get things done. I also saw the Fun side of Bill, mostly at the woodshows, he could make things “happen”. I have a deep appreciation for the terrific support he along with Kathy gave me for my project for the Canadian soldiers every year. Bill had a keen sense of people and it was always evident when I would see him helping set up a show or working through the crowds. I would like to offer his wife Nora and family my deepest condolences, Bill was one of a kind and he will be deeply missed. As my daughter would say ” Bill is one of the Good Guys”, there must be one heck of a woodshow in heaven that they needed Bill to take care of. God Bless

Jim

Craig,
My condolences to you and your family with the loss of your Father. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Colleen Stevens

Bill was a genuine friend. A real people person that touched the lives of all who knew him! He called weekly to check up on my dad’s failing health and always shared words of encouragement.
A real void has been left in our hearts. We will miss your great big smile.
Our condolences go out to Nora, Kyle, Craig and extended family.

For those who can relate; the show circuit can be an arduous lifestyle. I liken it to a ride at an amusement park, that you no longer want to ride. For most, I suspect the hardest part is the leaving family behind while in pursuit of pedaling their dream. Clearly the weekend is a time that could be better spent with family. I say this because, Bill had a way of making you feel like family. Always genuine in his concern for you, your family and your business. He will be deeply missed.

We are so saddened by the loss of a wonderful human being and friend. We may have come to know Billy because of our involvement with the woodshows in Moncton & Halifax but we came to love him because of the unique affect he had on us and so many others. We’ve shed many tears since Kathy called us Monday night but we are trying to replace those tears with happy memories of all the times Billy made us laugh (which was often). He was always in a good mood, smiling and making others smile and feel confortable in his pressence. He was a genunine treasure and left this world a much better place because of his pressence in it. All the Woodchuck and I can say at a time like this is – it was an honour to be associated with you Billy Marshall. Nora and family may it confort you to know that Billy had such a wonderful affect on others. Our sincere condolences.

Bill, we are all going to miss your amazing smile. You brightened up Ottawa when you were in town. Lansdowne Park staff were all saddened by the sudden passing. Yesterday everyone huddled together to reflect on all the great memories we had of Bill. He will be truly missed. Especially that great smile.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his Family and Dear friend Kathy.
Kay,Patrick,Rick, Nancy, & All the Staff

Dear family and friends of BILL.
It is a sad day for many. Bill has touched many lives during his short time on earth. I have had the pleasure and opportunity to talk and reflect with Bill since 1998, my first woodshow in many Provinces. He made me feel like a friend and he was not afraid to give a guy a hug. Mocton, 2009 at the Amsterdam Inn, we shared more than a bottle of Crown Royal, he left an impact on me like we had been friends for decades. I will truly miss you Bill. RIP my friend. Terry

I would like to express my heart felt condolences to Williams family. I had to priviledge of meeting Williams through the Woodwork Shows. A very kind and loving energy. Will be sadly missed

We first met Bill in the early 70s when he was the building materials buyer for Home Hardware.

Bill was a quality guy then and he never changed – positive, upbeat and fun to be with. The industry will surely miss him.

Our thoughts are with his family.

Nancy & Garnet

Nora, Craig & Kyle

We send our condolences to all of you. We were very saddened to hear of his death. Our thoughts are with you.

Paul and Lisa Koehler

It was with great sadness that we learned of Bill’s sudden passing. Bill, Kathy, and many of our family members worked together,at various times, at the Kitchener Woodshow -some of us for nearly 18 years. We will miss him – his sense of humour,his caring way,and his wonderful’people skills’!
Please accept our family’s sincere sympathies at the loss of a very special man -husband, father, and friend. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
We will remember with you….

This quote from Leo Busacglia sums up the Bill Marshall I knew and loved:
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

Bill turned a lot of life’s around and made the world a much better place to live. I don’t really like to golf much anymore but a round of golf with Bill was like a four hour walk with a great friend, full of good conversation, jokes, and enjoyment. Bill taught me to treat others as you would like to be treated. How he remembered everyone’s family and names was amazing, especially when he was one of the most computer challenged people I know. The only fault I know Bill had was that he was a London Knights fan! This of course coming from a Rangers fan!

Bill I will miss your passion, your dedication to people, your love of your family and friends and your smile and laugh. Thank you for the example and standards that you have set for the rest of us. I am so proud and blessed to have known you. My sincere condolences to the Marshall family and friends. May all our treasured memories of Billy help us through this difficult time as we celebrate a wonderful man and his life.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marshall family. Our loss is heavens gain. He had a sense of hummor and a smile that made it a better day. It was a true pleasure to work with him.

Bill Luther
Busy Bee Tools manager
Nova Woodturners Guild

On behalf of the Outaouais Wood Carvers, Ottawa, I wish to extend our condolences to the family of William Marshall. His years of working with our Capital Carving Competition will be long remembered with deep gratitude.

On behalf of the Grand Valley Woodcarvers I would loke to offer our sympathies to the family of Bill Marshall. Bill has had a tremendous impact on our Club and the Canadian National Wildfowl Carving Championship held evry March. Without Bill’s help and involvement this show wouldnot have become the major show place for Canadian carving. Bill’s help and friendship will be missed. He was a grat man.

Billy — it’s taken me this long to write something as I just don’t know what to say here. I know are laughing as you always said it was music to your ears to hear that I had nothing to say. This has caught us all by surprise. I keep hoping it’s just a bad dream. More like a horrible nightmare. There is work here for you to do. 🙂 Your little buddy Riley said it best when he asked “Why Uncle Bill?” That’s what we all want to know too….why?

I met Billy in a mall in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 1992. He’s been a good friend and biz partner over the years. We worked well together. We did 48 shows from March 1994 to March 2011 plus visited well over 100 shows to see what’s new, who’s new and to say hi to our exhibitors.

We laughed many times when we talked about the “Drive-by Sales Calls” he did on the way to visit a show while he was still working. He’d leave me in the car, motor running, parked illegally close to the door and he’d run in, made sure someone saw him there and threw a handful of brochures at the person and raced back out into the car and we were off! 90 seconds…sales call was done! Then around 5PM he’d phone in to his boss to discuss the day’s work and made sure the boss knew he was still far from being at home. A salesman working late on a Friday is almost unheard of – such dedication! 🙂 But when it came to the shows, he was truly dedicated. He worked hard and always was concerned that everyone did well.

Lots of miles travelled and lots of great friends. Over the 17 years there are too many to mention but I do have to mention Chuck and Cheryl Bernard from New Brunswick. They are wonderful people who help us with our Moncton show and we love them dearly and were so pleased when they surprised us by showing up at the KW show last year. Yup, we met some really great folks over the years. They all admired him as you can see from the beautiful condolences they have written. There are a “kajillion” more that I got that I will print off, put into a book and give it to the family. A kajillion is a lot so it will take time.

Lots of memories too — The huge snow storm that shut down all of Halifax except Exhibition Park. The minus 25 degrees show in Ottawa (outside and inside too). Ice pellets bouncing off our desk in the show office in Ottawa. The Aberdeen is not ‘’weather-friendly’ – especially winter weather. Leather sofas they brought into the show office for him to nap on in Moncton. A goose flying into the electrical transformer and blowing the hydro for about an hour in KW. Me wearing my London Knights Memorial Cup Winners shirt at the Moncton Coliseum while I sold pretzels at the hockey game when they were short-staffed – he laughed about that for a long time. Actually, it was his idea.

My little guys will miss their “Uncle Bill”. Christian (4 yrs. old) says he now knows two people who died and went to heaven…Jesus and Uncle Bill.

Me and my family – PB, Scott, Karen, Tyler, Riley, Christian, Katelyn and my mother all offer the very deepest sympathy to Nora, Craig, Jessica, Kyle, Laura, Bruce and Karen. WOW! Let’s hope we all wake up soon from this dreadful nightmare. It’s a very difficult time but know that Billy is smiling down on you. God obviously has a great plan for him. He just got his golf clubs regripped so he will be able to play golf every day. Heaven probably has some fabulous courses.

So long my friend. The computer screen is so blurry. Billy, I will miss you. Your woodshow friends will miss you. Everybody will miss you. I am glad to have had the chance to know you but like Rob Cosman said, we can take comfort in knowing that we will see you again.

Why Uncle Bill?

xxx,
Kathy

p.s. Your SJ Sharks won 3-2 in game 7. Yaye!

I’m so sorry for the sudden passing of Mr Marshall. He will be missed. To the Marshall family my deepest condolences.

I am still in shock.
I don’t know what to say other than I will truly miss Bill. Condolences to Bill’s family and to his friend and business partner Kathy.

Unfortunately, I was out of the country when the news of Bill’s passing was emailed to me, or I would have expressed my condolences so much sooner.

This is absolutely shocking to hear. I can’t get over how this could happen to a person who was so young and vibrant.

I’ve known Bill ever since I started doing the K-W Show for him and Kathy — it must be about 10 years ago now or pretty close to it. I remember Bill contacting me the very first time and arranging for me to present seminars at the show. It was clear from that very first phone conversation that Bill was a very genuine person — caring, positive, kind. He was always sure to call me up and make sure everything was in order for the show. He’d ask about my business and my family and he really acted more like a friend than someone who was only dealing with you on a business level.

I don’t know Bill’s family personally, but my sincere condolences go out to all of you. It must be such a shock and a time of deep sadness. As I do know Kathy quite well, I feel particularly sad about how this will affect you going forward. I’m sure your sense of loss is truly overwhelming, having worked with Bill and been his friend for so many years. Kathy, my deepest sympathies to you in this time of great sorrow.

In my own family, we recently lost my father-in-law, so I know how difficult it can be. Let me just say that it is my firm belief that after passing from this earth, we do move on to a much better place where there is more love, joy and understanding than is humanly possible here. I am also comforted in my belief that we are all reunited in that wonderful place so that we can enjoy each other’s company again. So while we all suffer the loss of a loved one and feel great sorrow, I know that Bill is now in a much better place, filled with joy and love and surrounded by other friends and family members who passed before him.

Bill, we will all miss you. We were honoured to have known you and spent time with you in your short years here on this earth. However, I know we will meet again and I look forward to that day. See you there sometime soon.

All the best,

Hendrik

I have had the pleasure of participating in the K-W Woodworking Show for 23 years, as a guest artisan. Bill, a very special man, always welcomed me enthusiastically to each show, and encouraged me to return the following year. I smile when recalling the radio ad with the barbershop quartet singing “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood”. Then the TV ad with the same jingle, showing my treadle scroll saw in operation. One of those years, I decided not to bring the scroll saw. Bill then told me that a man came to the show specifically to see the treadle scroll saw, and was very upset when he couldn’t find it. Bill calmed him down and encouraged him to check out the various booths and displays. Then, with a big grin, Bill told me that, much later, he saw the man leaving with an armful of purchased items, looking pretty happy. The K-W Woodworking Show has long been a yearly highlight.
I extend my condolences and prayers to Bill’s family and to his friends and business patner Kathy.