With family at his side, Bill passed peacefully in the quiet hours of the morning on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
Devoted husband of Rosalind (Roz) (nee Cook). Beloved father of Andrew (Zoe Brown), Heather (David Gill) and Amy (Chris Sweet). Proud grandfather of Cillian, Felix, Blaze, Sydney, Jimmy and Teagan. Dear brother of John (late June). Brother-in-law of Sid Cook (Nancy), Dianne Chapman (Bruce) and Stan Cook (June). Bill will be fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews Lavalle, Lysan, Helen, Jennifer, Jeff, Philip and Chris.
Former owner of the Barton & Kiteley Funeral Home and the Arthur Funeral Home, Bill enjoyed an exemplary career serving the families of Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding communities. His compassion and desire to provide the highest level of care will be remembered by the many individuals whose lives he touched throughout his over 60 year career.
His work in funeral services reached far beyond Sault Ste. Marie as Bill served on numerous boards and professional associations including the Board of Funeral Services, the Ontario Funeral Service Association, the Funeral Service Association of Canada and the Humber College Advisory Committee. A notable achievement in Bill’s career was introducing personalization to funeral services which he spread across the country. Bill was also an engaging motivational speaker and guest presenter at Sault College and Humber College. Countless professionals have benefitted from his mentoring and leadership.
Bill was a long time supporter of the Soo Greyhounds. He looked forward to meeting his crew at the games. Bill’s devotion to community was evident in his volunteer work. He enjoyed many years with the Masonic Lodge and the Sault North Rotary Club through which he was honoured a Paul Harris Fellowship. When it came to community work, Bill always had an expression. “It was better to know me and not need me than to need me and not know me.”
Family time was incredibly important to Bill even if it meant having to leave town to enjoy a family vacation. He will be remembered for his integrity, quick witted sense of humour and his ability to make anyone he was with feel special. He made a difference and will be greatly missed.
Special thank you to all the staff on 3C at the Sault Area Hospital for their care.
Friends are invited to visit with family at Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E., Sault Ste. Marie, ON 705-759-2522) on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm. Funeral service to be held at Central United Church (160 Spring St.) on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11am. Rev. Laurie Stevenson officiating. Reception to follow. Interment Laird Cemetery. Memorial contributions by cheque or online to the John Howard Society, Women In Crisis or a local Sault Ste. Marie charity of choice would be greatly appreciated. Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com to share a memory or message of condolence for Bill’s family.
Members of the Masonic Lodge are requested to assemble at Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel at 5pm for a memorial service to honour Brother Bill Kiteley on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 5:30pm.
A Funeral Director’s Prayer
Lord, give me the patience needed to serve everyone as my own;
the wisdom to understand others’ feelings;
the knowledge to learn as well as to instruct;
the kindness to treat everyone equally at all times;
the strength to endure long hours and hard work;
the desire to serve others as I would my own family;
the humility to accept words of thanks and praise;
the compassion to touch another’s soul;
the pride and the right to smile when I have served a family well;
and Lord, most importantly the right to shed an honest tear when my heart is touched;
Lord, make me thankful that
I am a Funeral Director.
