Robert William “Bill” Kearns
Died: January 11, 2013 | Place: Victoria Hospital
Obituary
KEARNS, Bill…..
Robert William “Bill” Kearns 78, of London, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 11, 2013 at Victoria Hospital, London. Bill was a loving and caring husband who is survived by his wife Beverly (Rhodes) Kearns. He was extremely proud of his four children, Bill Jr. of Ottawa, Neil and his wife Gwen of Whistler, Lauria and her husband Ryan and Robert all of London. He is survived by his brother Rod “Ferg” and adoring grandchildren Breanne, Riley and Krista as well as, several nieces and nephews. Bill was the son of Ferg and Janet Kearns, and was born and raised in Kincardine. He lived most of his life in London and spent summers at his cottage in Inverhuron. Bill enjoyed a career in journalism and broadcasting until he retired. He was passionate about historical research and authored four published books. He was known for his profound ability to reminisce and he will be remembered as a gentle man who could tell a delightful story with a dry wit. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 1:30pm, at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation 180-633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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My sincere sympathy goes out to all members of the Kearns family. I worked with Bill for quite a few years at CFPL-TV and will remember him for his hard work, sense of humor and constant smile. He helped make the job more fun!
Doris and I have been close friends of Bill for 63 years, dating back to the time we entered High School together. He was the best man at our wedding 58 years ago and over that period of
time we have been witness to his myriad of accomplishments both of a personal and professional nature. Bill has been a positive and supportive factor throughout our lives and his quiet and gentle demeanor will be missed by us and the entire Inverhuron community. When we were young, ‘Ferg’ as we called him had the first 16mm video camera which we had ever seen, which he used to record both personal and local history. It was a logical extension from this craft that he would become a successful author describing these same communities that he was originally familiar with.
Personally, I will miss Ferg as a close friend and confidant. He leaves me as the sole survivor of our teenage group of boys who roamed the roads of Bruce County, created the unrealistic dreams of our youth, laughed at our short comings, enjoyed our times of fellowship and ultimately remained friends to the all too soon end. Ferg was the centrepiece of this unique relationship. His leadership was marked by his humour, his wit, his tomfoolery which were always enjoyable and entertaining. For those times and with many other personal reflections I am grateful, I honour him and I will miss him but he leaves me and others with a legacy of memories that will be hard for us to erase.
If he were here beside me today I would thank him, wish his good luck and ask God to give him Bless. I would also remind him that the whole time was ‘a ball’ and we should all do it again sometime soon.
To his close and extended family please except our sincerest condolances.
Bob
Our heartfelt condolences to Bill’s family, friends and the family of friends associated with CFPL-TV. We both had the privilege of working with Bill for so many years. He will be remembered for his witty sense of humor, his quiet nature, big smile and warm personality.
It was with great sadness that I received the news of Bill’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with and learning from Bill in my early days of journalism. He always kept us laughing. Sending sincere sympathy at this time. Julie (Sandiland) Simpson
by Henry Van Dyke – 1852 – 1933
Dear Bev, Lauria, Rob, Neil Bill and all of those who were blessed by having Bill Kearns in their life. I was so sad to hear of your loss. Something about this poem brings me comfort and I hope it brings a little comfort to you guys in this sad time.
I am standing by the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch
until at last she hangs like a peck of white cloud
just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says, ‘There she goes!
Gone where? Gone from my sight – that is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the places of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says,
‘There she goes! ‘ ,
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout :
‘Here she comes!’
What a good man I remember when I broke my leg shortly after bringing Carlie home from Toronto. Your dad drove me to school everyday and loaned me the coolest slippers to keep my foot warm . I will always remember your dad fondly… all those funny one liners…
God Bless you guys all my love and prayers
Rosemary Wearing
I knew and worked with Bill at The Free Press, and kept in touch after he moved to CFPL-TV. He was an excellent newsman who took great pride in his work. Something that’s some times missing in others in the business. His wicked sense of humor flickered always in his eyes, and he will be missed by all thos knew him.
We would like to send our sincere sympathy to everyone. Bill had a vast knowledge of Kincardine history that can’t be equalled. We can be thankful for the books he published and other accounts of Kincardine’s early days. He had a leg up on most other historians due to his vocation and passion for his home town.
Dear Bev,
I was saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. There are so many wonderful “Bill” stories that I will always remember. I will never forget the day he burst into the newsroom wearing his mask and cape from Phantom of the Opera. We all laughed until we cried.
He was a wonderful man!
Janet Ferguson
My deepest sympathies to Bev and family at this time. As you mourn Bill’s death, while also celebrating his wonderful life, may it help to know that you are surrounded by a company of friends who thought so highly of Bill. Like my father (Bob McKellar) I knew Bill as “Fergie”. As a fellow “Inverhuron-ite”, I have so many fond memories of Fergie dropping by for a visit at my parents’ cottage. He appeared quiet from the outside, but I knew from the start a very quick mind was at work, and very witty one to boot! I remember as a kid growing up, that Fergie was always one of those adults (too few of them, I’m afraid) who actually pays attention to kids, and even draws them into conversation. He cared! He was very much a people person. And what a story teller too! I have a couple of his books and I shall treasure them even more now than I already do.
Bill/Fergie – you will be missed greatly. Thank you for the legacy of stories and history you leave us, and for the many fond memories.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kearns family on hearing of Bill’s passing. It was my pleasure to have worked with him at CFPL – TV.
Dear Rob and Family
So very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. By all accounts, you are very much like him (not just in name) Thinking of you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Your friends in Windsor,
Ron, Linda and Matthew Lister
My thoughts and prayers are with the Kearns family. I worked with Bill for a short period of time out of Wingham when he was the line-up editor in the newsroom in London. Both of us are from Kincardine so there was that instant connection. Bill was a very friendly likeable person who really enjoyed his job. I’m sorry to hear about his passing.
Steve Young
CTV News London News Director
In 1998, twelve well-meaning but slightly demented people decided to save the Walker House, the oldest building still standing in Kincardine. A little insanity was a pre-requisite for anyone signing on to such a project. The Walker House had been ravaged by fire three years earlier, and water damage from a gaping hole in the roof had added to the devastation. The building was facing an imminent demolition order. Local citizens seemed disinterested, the rich history of the Walker House having faded from our collective consciousness. All in all, the situation seemed entirely hopeless. Bill Kearns was one of those twelve crazy people. He became one of the original directors of the Paddy Walker Heritage Society.
Bill fulfilled his board duties with distinction. But he contributed much more thanks to two special talents– his skill with words and his love of local history. He began to write stories about the Walker House that appeared regularly in the local newspaper. He wrote about the history of the Walker House, about its colourful proprietor, Francis “Paddy” Walker, and about the progress of the restoration work. His writing style was that of a good journalist – simple and direct and effective. His stories touched a nerve and helped inspire an entire community to embrace the Walker House Project. Within ten years the restoration of the Walker House had turned from pipe-dream to reality.
We at the Walker House wish to express our condolences to Bill’s family. He was a key member of our organization and a good friend. It will be our privilege to pass on his collection of stories about the Walker House to future generations.
As a kid, I remember Fergie popping into my grandparents’ cottage all the time (Bob and Doris McKellar are my grand-parents). He certainly did always acknowledge my presence and would usually have something of humorous nature to say that would take me a while to wrap my head around at first. He definitely had an aura of warmth and kindness about him. The condolence offered by my grandfather echoes my own feelings and thoughts about Fergie. He touched lives for sure.
My deepest condolences to you during your time of loss. I am thinking of you all during this difficult time, and please know that I am here for you in your time of need.
Dear Aunt Bev, Bill, Neil, Lauria, and Rob:
I’m very sorry for your loss. Uncle Bill was an awesome uncle to me. He always had a twinkle in his eye and seemed to always have a smile for me. His warmth and humour will be missed.
Bill was someone that Ron & I both admired while working at Channel 10. He had the talent to always put a great product to air and the grace to make it look easy. His professionalism and humour will be missed. Our deepest condolences.
I met Bill once yearrrrrs back, my bro Richard and Rod were close friends years back
Just extend my condolences to
Rod(FERGY)
Robert Black org Kincardine