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William Lee Claggett 1937-2012
In Memory of
WILLIAM LEE CLAGGETT
It is with great sadness that we note the sudden death of Bill Claggett on February 3, 2012, loving husband of Heather Ann Claggett. This webpage will be updated with information as it becomes available. If you wish to contribute photos or other information or links please send your information to orcastu@gmail.com. Feel free to leave your comments and thoughts in the comments section below.
A Tribute Video To Col. William Lee Claggett
Bill was born in Santa Maria California on 28 June 1937. Shortly thereafter he moved to Canada with his parents and grew up in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. On completing high school, he was accepted at Royal Roads Military College in Victoria. After completing two years he was transferred to the Royal Military College in Kingston Ontario. He graduated with a degree in Commerce and Economics in 1960 and was commissioned into the Canadian Armoured Corps.
Bill’s military career spans some 22 years in the Canadian Regular Forces and another 11 years in the Reserve Forces culminating in his command of the 1st Hussars Armoured Regiment in London Ontario and finally command of London Militia District as a Colonel. He has seen service in Europe, Cyprus and the USA before leaving the regular forces in 1980 to join Diesel Division General Motors of Canada Ltd. As Sales Manager for the USMC Light Assault Vehicle (LAV) project, Bill directed the strategy and sale for GM. Upon this success, he took over management of Defence Sales for the Division, a position he retained for 12 years.
As Sales Director Bill was directly involved in overseas sales in Saudi Arabia, Australia, and New Zealand as well as starting sales activities in several other countries such as Taiwan and Thailand. In addition much of GM’s success in Canada and the USA can be attributed to his sales strategies.
In 1992 Bill was posted to Saudi Arabia as General Manager of the Branch of GM of Canada and remained as director for International Sales. He remained in this capacity until his retirement from GM in 1998.
On retirement from GM, Bill started his own consulting firm and has been contracted to such companies as British Aerospace and Alvis PLC as well as a firm in Saudi Arabia.
Bill has been an active supporter of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association (Cavalry) since his retirement from the Regular Force in 1980. He has served the association as Vice President Central, President, Past President and was serving on the Executive as Advisor on Council.
Bill is survived by Heather Ann (nee Hately) and his sons, Stuart, Doug and Jay and six grandchildren. Doug and Jay are serving officers in the Canadian Armed Forces. Bill and Heather Ann live in Florida but spend their summers at their cottage near Kingston Ontario.
Colonel William (Bill) Claggett
Funeral Service
Wednesday, Februray 8, 2012
1100 hrs
Pinecrest Spring Hill Chapel
3369 Mariner Blvd
Spring Hill, Fl 34609
(352) 684-0001
(http://www.pinecrestfuneralchapels.com)
Celebration of Life
is planned for the Summer 2012
In the Kingston, Ontario Area
Donations to:
Canada
CFCF - Military Families Fund
c/o Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency
4210 Labelle Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2
http://www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/mfamily/donate_e.asp
or
United States
Wounded Warriors Family Support
920 S 107th Ave
Suite 250, Omaha, NE 68114
http://www.wwfs.org/index.php/giving/donate.html
Dad
You will be missed by many. Your smile, charm and love will never be forgotten.
Col Bill;
Your leadership and wisdom will be hard to replace. The legacy you created in the Canadian Army and in the Defence Industry will go on for years. Your Regiment, the 1st Hussars, is stronger today due to your leadership. The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps has benefitted from your international perspectives and your dedication. The employees of GDLS (formally GM Diesel) in London, Ontario enjoy the benefits today of a great source of employment and prosperity for their families due to the customer relationships developed from your sales strategies.
All ranks of the 1st Hussars join me in paying tribute to your life of service to your family, to your community and to Canada. You will be missed.
Hodie Non Cras! (Today . . . not Tomorrow)
Chris Brown
LCol
Commanding Officer
1st Hussars
As serving reservists and as life members on Council together, I often had the pleasure of sharing Bill’s smile, humour,company, counsel and advice. I will miss him dearly. My sincere sympathies to his family.
Oh my Lord, Doug. Just got a message from the Regiment….I am so very, very sorry. I’m stunned. If there is anything I can do, you know you need but ask. You, your Mom and all your family are in our hearts and prayers. God bless.
Hi Doug
Very sorry to hear about your dad.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole family
Mark Hutchings
Jay and Doug,
Sincere condolences from my family to yours. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gen Steve
This makes me very, very sad and scares me a little. He wasn’t that old and was very special…how does this happen. I have such wonderful memories of him at the army bases in Germany….so much fun. Poor Heather!!!
Yes, life is too short. He was a real sweetie!
Sad me
Dear Heather Ann: I received the sad news via Bill Pettipas yesterday and it took me totally by surprise. I will be thinking of you and your family on Weds. With my love Hazell
Dear Heather Ann
I spoke with Dick late last night, I was so sorry to hear about Bill.
You have our deepest sympathy, and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
With much love,
Mike & Joan
Oh Heather. I am so sorry. I am just sick. I will call you soon as I am on a walk now.
Judy
Heather, Jack and I received the news of Bill’s death with shock and sadness. If there is any way we can help please let us know. We will be thinking of you and “the boys” and their families with sympathy and affection, Eloise.
Dear Heather Ann,
What a shock and hardship for you to go through at this time, our hearts go out to you. I wish we were there to give you lots of hugs and support. We certainly have lots of good memories of our times together and will cherish them forever and look forward to good times with you. Bill was a wonderful friend to us. I know at this sad time you will be supported and loved by your sons and their families but please remember that Jonathan and I are just an hour away to help and comfort you in any way we can, even if its just a listening ear.
All our love,
Marcia and Jonathan
Hi Heather,
I just wanted to contact you and let you know how heartbroken I am about Bill. I know this is so difficult. I just feel very lucky to have had you guys in my life for the past several years.
You both have meant a lot to me and Bill will be very missed. I’m sending all the hugs that I can…
Much Love,
Alison
Hi Heather Ann,
We have never met but I remember Bill from those RMC days so very well. I want to add my sympathies to those of other classmates of Bill’s.
Tom
Dear Heather-Ann and family,
Our thoughts are with you all at this very difficult time. I shall miss this old soldier whom I have known since the Strathcona days in Germany in the early 60′s and throughout Bill’s second career and association with the RCACA. He was a fine gentlemen, an excellent officer and very dedicated in every aspect of his endeavours. Please accept our sincere condolences on his passing. We will remember him.
Darrell & Heather Dean
Dear Jay,
I just wanted to send our condolences at your loss. My dad has fond memories of his dealings with your father and we both have you and your family in our thoughts.
Andrew
Dear Jay,
I am deeply sorry. Blessings and peace on you and your family at this difficult time.
Bren.
Jay
Just heard this evening of the sad news of your father’s passing. My sincerest condolences. Your father was a great man and I had the privilege of knowing him both in uniform and at GM. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family.
Mark
Jay:
It was with great sadness that Ray and I heard of your father’s death today.
Please know that our heartfelt thoughts are with you, you Mum, and all of your family.
Regards and a heartfelt hug
Jayne
You have my deepest sympathy.
Jay
I just got word my deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Your Dad was a great man.
On behalf of all the reservists of LFCA all our condolences to you and your family. Your loss is a loss to the entire reserve community of Ontario. Know that we are with you at this time.
Sincerely,
Julian
Jay:
There is nothing that I can say except that I will light a candle for your father in Church this weekend and be there in any form that you need me.
Your friend always
John Spiteri
Hi Jay,
Julia and I are so sad to learn about your dad’s passing. What an awful surprise!
Your mom and dad are among our very best friends and have been for over 50 years, and we have known and loved you boys ever since you were born.
All that is to say that we are as saddened by this loss as I can imagine you are. Our thoughts are with you and your family especially over the next short time when there will be so much going on. If there is anything we can do for you, your mom or your brothers you have only to ask.
Lots of love.
Mark
On behalf of 7th Tor Regt, my condolences to you and your family.
What horrible news.
Please accept Marlene’s and my heartfelt condolences.
Worthy!
Clive
Please accept my and my family’s deepest regrets for the passing of your father. As you know we had a special bond with your dad and we will miss him dearly. Please pass our sympathies to your family and especially your mom. It is a sad day for all of us.
Please let me pass on my condolences you, your family and your mother. I have, by coincidence, been thinking of your dad a lot these past few days as I am exploring getting out of the Army and starting a new career and I am at the same stage of life he was when he got out.
Also, your parents were super nice to me and Harry when we joined 1H.
He was a great guy. He will be missed.
once again my condolences.
John
Very sorry to hear about your Dad. My deepest sympathies.
Bill Kalogerakis
I am so sorry to learn about your loss. My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family.
Erich
My very heartfelt condolences.
Phillip Halton
Jay
My deepest condolences. Your father was a superb regimental patriot and an outstanding advocate for the Corps. He will be deeply missed.
Bryan
I just heard about your Dad. Very sad news. My thoughts are with you and the family. Please let me know if the Corps can help in anyway.
Worthy!
MN
Colonel Mike Nixon
Director Armour
The First Hussars lost one of its greats yesterday. Colonel (retired) Bill Claggett. Colonel Claggett combined a great military and business career with being a husband and father in a way that you just don’t see very often. I couldn’t begin to list his accomplishments. I know of only a few. I know that he chose the Armoured Corps over a softer life as a pilot, that he served in every Regular Army Regiment, Commanded a Reserve Regiment and then a Brigade, and along the way touched the lives of so many other people. He joined a company that went on to create some of the finest Armoured vehicles in the world. Vehicles built in London, Ontario but saving lives in Afghanistan, Iraq and who knows where next. He did all this while raising three of the finest Men – and being married to one of the finest Ladies – I have ever met.
I am biased. He (mostly, unknowingly) mentored me for the last 25 years. Very early he taught me that if you give a person a second chance that you will – almost invariably – be rewarded for your faith. I hope I proved that adage right in his eyes, but I know I have seen it’s truth when I’ve applied it since.
So, thanks for the second chance Colonel. Thanks for the lessons and the laughs. You will be missed but you will be remembered.
Heather, Stuart, Doug, Jay and all the family,
We wish that we could be with you on Wednesday to celebrate Bill’s life. We were privileged to know him and very sad that he has passed. We were so very happy that we could have seen him and celebrated Christmas with him this past year. He was a real gentleman and his cheery smile will always be remembered.
Our sincerest thoughts of sympathy are with you at this time,
Paul, Susanne and Audrey
It is with great sorrow that we’ve heard of the loss of my Dad’s brother, my Uncle Bill. I was fortunate enough to have Bill and Heather Ann meet my wife only months before our wedding on his last trip to Vancouver.
Bruce (Claggett), Amber and Graeme
Dear Doug and Jay – on behalf of all ranks of the 1st Canadian Division I wish to send you our sincere condolences on the loss of your father. You and your families will be in our thoughts and prayers as you remember your father Bill in the days ahead.
Sincerely, Jim.
Major-General Jim Ferron
My deepest sympathies to you and your family during this time.
Be well
Bill.
Heard the sad news. Wanted to send you my sincere condolences on your father’s passing. I know this is a difficult time. Be strong.
Dear Heather Ann and family:
Mel and I would like to offer our condolences on the passing of your husband and the boys father. Unfortunately we will not be able to come to Florida, however, we will attend the service in Kingston. Just know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Blessings Emily.
Very sorry to hear about your father. Randy
Jay and Doug,
I am terribly sorry! Your Dad was a terrific man – this is a huge loss to all of us. Beth and my thoughts are with you and your mother.
Deepest regrets
Jamie
Doug,
Just heard about your Dad. Please accept my sincere condolences. Should I be able to assist or support please let me know and I will do whatever I can. Truly sorry, hope that the family and your Mom in particular are doing as well as possible given the circumstances.
Doug, got word on the Hussar net that your father had passed away. Very sorry for your loss. Thinking about you and the girls.
Sandy
Doug,
We are sorry to hear about your dad. Although I didn’t have too many chances to meet him, he impressed me as a great man who was extremely proud of his family, his life and his amazing BBQs. Please let our heart-felt thoughts help you all through this difficult time.
Roger
Jay – sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Karen
Bill has been a part of our lives in Germany, Petawawa, Washington, Kingston, and annually in Smith Falls. We’ll miss him. Our condolences to Heather and family. When we see you all in Kingston, we hope the grief is softening. Chris and Nancy
Dear Jay,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss… Please accept my deepest sympathies to you and your family during this time.
Marie
Jay, Doug and Stu,
I was really saddened to hear about the loss of your Dad. My thoughts are with you and your Mom during this very difficult time.
Peter
Dear Heather Ann
We are both so sorry to hear your desperately sad news.
Both Sally and I are thinking of you and send you and the boys our deepest sympathies. Sally and I will remember Bill with fondness for the kindness he and you showed us when we visited you with Sally’s parents in Tampa a few short years ago.
Take care
Sally & Steve
Jay-I’m so saddened to hear of your loss. Your Dad was a great guy and my condolences go out to you and your family.
Take Care Jay
Shawn
Dear Stuart,
I am sorry to hear the sad news that your father passed away. I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.
Best regards,
Fahmi
Stuart,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. If there is anything Dotty and I can do to help, please let us know.
Warm Regards,
Skip
Heather Ann and Family
What shocking news when Megan called the other morning to tell us of Bill’s passing. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill on 3 occasions and the most memorable was at Doug’s change of command ceremoney at Suffield this past summer. What a proud moment that was for Bill and of course Heather Ann. I also had the pleasure of being a guest of Bill’s at the officer’s mess in Kingston last fall and it was obvious the the level of respect shown to Bill by the officers that evening.
Bill was a very decent individual and a gentleman in every respect. We were looking forward to renewing our freindship with Bill at Doug and Megan’s wedding this March and unfortunately that will not be the case.
May his soul rest in peace.
Don Ravis
Heather Ann, Stuart, Doug & Jay and families:
Please accept our sincerest sympathies on the death of Bill. We had only met Bill a couple of times but truly appreciated his kindness and gentle manner. You are in our thoughts at this difficult time.
I was sorry to read of the sudden death of your father.
Please know that we are all thinking of you and your family. It was lovely to read of your dad’s accomplishments.
Wishing you well during the coming week and months to follow.
Ann Martin
Really sorry to hear about your dad Jay.
Please know that we are thinking of you and your family.
Take Care
Sonia
Heather Ann, we ar stunned by your news, and know that you will be comforted by your boys and their families,
Our hearts and thoughts are with you we have wonderful memories and know that your special strength will see you through this dreadful time
warmest regards
Pat & Tom
It is with great sadness that we note the sudden death of Bill Claggett on February 3, 2012, loving husband of Heather Ann Claggett and father of Colonel Jay Claggett, former Commanding Officer of the Governor General’s Horse Guards. The members of the Governor General’s Horse Guards Association joins with the rest of the Regimental Family in offering their deepest condolences to Col Clagget and his family at this time of loss.
Jay, Doug and Family, I am sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, and my thoughts are with your family. Bill was in most respects my first CO, and in character was always larger then life. I admired him for making strong transtions, regular to reserve, and having equal success whether in the military, in his civi career, and of course with his family. It is hard to beleive he is gone. As long as we remember he is not.
Heather Ann, Stuart, Doug and Jay,
Really shocked and saddened to hear of ‘Uncle Bill’s’ passing. He was a wonderful, very special man – a true gent – who carved a place in all of our hearts and memories. I have countless fond recollections – many of which, suitably, are accompanied by visions of delicious food – and I shall cherish them. Our thoughts are with you.
Karen, Cole, Luke and Marcus (in London, UK)
Dear Jay,
I just heard about the passing of your Father on the RMC net. MJ & I wish extend our deepest sympathies to you and to all the members of your family in this time of loss. I always considered myself extremely fortunate to have your Father as a mentor, counselor, and friend. I know that he was always very proud of all of his three sons.
God bless you in all that you do, my friend.
Rob & MJ
Bill was CO of the 1st Hussars when I commanded 56 Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, in Brantford Ontario (1982-86). As a newly minted CO I enjoyed his counsel during our brief but memorable meetings at District Headquarters in London. My sincerest sympathy to your family.
Thank you,
Hon Col E. M. (Ed) Pancoe CD
Jay, I’m sorry regarding the sudden death of your dad. It’s hard to go through the death of a parent…my dad was only 58 years old when he died from a heart attack some 29 years ago.
My thoughts are with you and your family during this very difficult time.
maria
Dear Doug
Sincere condolences to the entire Claggett family from myself, RSM Earles and all members of 1 Area Support Group.
SG Kennedy
Col
COmmander 1 ASG
Jay,
Our deepest condolences on your loss. Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gordon and Stephanie
Jay
We’re so sorry to hear of the death of your dad Bill. He sounds like such an accomplished and terrific fella. You have every reason to be so proud of him. Our sincere sympathy.
The Family of LCol Harold Forbes (deceased)
Florence & Cindy Forbes-Favreau
Col Jay Claggett,
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father.
Branko
Sir,
I am sorry to here of the passing of your father. I wish to extend my condolences to you and your family during this time of grief.
Your father was a great man and will be truly missed.
If there is anything I can do to assist please let me know.
Again from Laurie the girls and myself our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Andy
Doug and Col Jay,
Just learned the sad news about the loss of your father. He will be greatly missed by the Corps.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Jeff
Bill, a dear friend and comrade in arms. It has been a privilege to have been a part of your life – in Canada and overseas in the Middle East. Your love of life, good food and good wine will stay in our memories forever. We raise a final glass to you in salute – it has been said – “Everyone we meet leaves an imprint on our lives and you have certainly enriched ours.” You have been a true friend always and you will be sadly missed.
Larry & Susan
Megan: You and Doug are in our thoughts and prayers. I only met Bill the one time, and very much enjoyed his company. Our sincere condolences to Heather. I can only imagine what it must be like to lose your partner. May you all find peace in your memories of him.
Sorry to hear of your loss Megan. My condolences to Doug and the families.
My Mother told me of Bill’s passing this evening. She remembers meeting him while stationed in Hemer/Iserlohn, West Germany in the late 1960s. My regards to Doug and family.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to all family and friends of Bill Claggett.
I got to know Bill rather well during his several visits to the military here in New Zealand. A big man in more than just stature and hard to think of a nicer guy. Bill will be missed here too. Condolences to Heather Ann and the family.
Bob Cooper
Omega DSE ltd
Jay and Doug
my condolences on the loss of your father, Bill. The thoughts and prayers of our Army go out to you and your families. I hope the memories of a great and caring man will ease the pain of loss. With Respect
P.J. Devlin
LGen
Commander Canadian Army
Heather Ann, Doug, Stuart , Jay and families,
My heart is with your hearts; such a loss to bear. May time ease the suffering you are feeling and the joy of sharing in Bill’s life be enough to sustain you through the next while.
Marion McKenzie
So Sorry to hear the news about your dad. It’s a tough time. Been through it myself and its not easy.
My heart felt wishes go out to your family
Take care of yourself
David
My deepest condolences on the loss of your father. May the thoughts and prayers of those around you help ease your pain. On behalf of everyone here at 1 Field Ambulance Det Suffield, we wish you and your family our heartfelt Condolences.
Dear Heather, Stuart, Doug and Jay:
We were so saddened to hear about Bill and wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this
difficult time.
Though we did not share much time together in our military careers we do remember with fondness the crazy days of Petawawa and the few times we shared while you were here in Kingston.
Italy at the Bowens was such a fond memory highlighted by your remembrances of Saudi.
We remember Bill in our own ways. I ( Judy) remember his quiet laid back presence and beautiful smile and Ted remembers his sense of humour, friendship and wisdom.
Take care..Ted and Judy
To Heather Ann, Stewart, Doug, Jay and all the Family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in your sorrow. If Bob’s health permitted he would be there with you tomorrow when you say Goodbye to a very special Gentleman ! The picture you chose with that beautiful smile is how I will always remember Bill, and Bob sends a Salute to his good friend ” Billy Bentfinger “!
Love S&B
Remembering Bill
A Psalm of Life
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Lives or great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
To Bill’s three decades of military service I would like to say:
For a soldier’s honor doesn’t end with their death
Honor becomes their legacy -
An inheritance left to this earth and mankind of the
blessings of Freedom and Peace.
Bill, you have left your footprints on the sands of time.
We will all miss you!
Heather Ann: Doug and I are so sad to hear about Bill. We will miss him sooo much. We send you bunches of hugs.
Dorothy and Doug
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this trying time.
Doug and Megan,
I am so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure and an honor to have met your parents; Bill and Heahter. Their greatness will and has also been displayed through the outstanding contributions of their off spring to the world. I know he was a great man because, though I didn’t know him very well, I know his son, one of his son’s, and he is a great man.
My sincerest condolences; he clearly was not only a great man but a great husband and father, not to mention role model.
I am sorry to hear of your father passing-away suddenly.
You and your family will be in many people’s thoughts tonight.
BTW, that is a great photo of your Dad. What a GREAT smile !!!.
Adam
Heather-Anne………Pam and I are so sorry to hear about Bill. Words cannot say how we feel. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the family.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on Bill’s passing. He was a great officer and an outstanding man. I have had the priveledge of working with him many times over the years and it was always a pleasure. He will be dearly missed by all who were privileged to know him. Bill Fulton, Colonel (retired), 8 CH and RCD.
Dear Heather-Ann and Family. Jerry and Joan Koeller offer our sincere
smpathy at the untimely passing of Bill. We
remember your help and friendship when we served together with the
Strathconas in Calgary. We have enjoyed our annual
visit and renewal of acqaintances at the annual BBQ at Milner’s. We miss
Bill with you. We offer our condolences to
you all. Jerry and Joan.
Dear Heather.We were so saddened to hear about Bill,and our thoughts are with you,the boys and the family at this most difficult time.Friends for over 50 years,our families have known and grown up together and we share your loss.Bill was a great guy,husband,father,grandfather,and friend to many.All those who knew and served with him hold in high regard and respect.The “Black Hat” family has lost a great crewman.He will be missed.Love Shirley and Clive
PSWe are in Pheonix visiting Shirls sister,and my attempts to get an mail thus far have failed.Hope this makes it.
Heather Ann:
We were shocked and deeply saddened to receive notice from Dave Henderson about Bill’s passing
Pat goes back to the time when Bill was an OCdt in Camp Borden and Meaford And the cadet ball when you came up to the ball. Then Iserlohn, Lahr, armoured conferences. reunions etc.
You can take great comfort from your family and your wonderful years in Florida and Howe Island.
God Bless and Love from us both
Dearest Heather-Anne;
Rad and I send our deepest sympathies to you and all your family. We are so sorry Bill didn’t have
many more years to be with all of you.
I just phoned Shelia Billings to commiserate with her on your great loss.
Hope to see you this summer. Very much love. Pat and Rad.
Dear Heather: Please accept our condolences. Fred and Myrna Berge
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of this gentleman. He was a fine man and a mentor to many.
Regards,
Greg
Greg Laing
Deputy Chief (Ops, Trg and Comms)
Mississauga Fire & Emergency Svcs.
Hi Heather,
Miriam and I were saddened and shocked to learn of Bill’s sudden passing. We always remember with the greatest fondness our time together in Iserlohn. Those days were absolutely unique and no one serving today will ever experience that rare blend of camaraderie and togetherness of such a large Canadian military community living abroad with their families.
Although Bill and I never served together after Germany, we often saw each other at various Army and RCAC meetings over the years, the last being in Kelowna a year ago. We spoke on a number of occasions at that conference and he was his usual up-beat and dedicated self, ready and willing to help the Corps in any way that he could – all tempered with his sense of humour.
Please accept Miriam and my condolences on your very great loss.
With sympathy,
John
Heather Ann, Stewart, Douglas and Jay.
It is with sadness that Claudette and I extend our condolences on the passing of Bill. We can only imagine the deep cloak of grief this must place over the family. We wish that we were close enough to offer some assistance. Bill will be missed by us all and his memory will endure through the ages and his name will be forever spoken with warmth, reverence and respect.
Sincerely,
Claudette and Gene
Heather Ann, We were so saddened to hear of Bill’s passing on the 3rd. We are thinking of you and know you’ll have the love and support of your family at this time. We hope we will hear more about the celebration of Bill’s life which we understand is to be held in Kingston in the summer. Hopefully we will be able to attend and express our feelings personally. Jim and Lucile Ellard
Jack and I are sending our condolences to Heather-Ann and all of the Claggett family. We share your sorrow and are sincerely sad to hear that Bill has passed away.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jack and Jean Dangerfield
Hi Heather Ann,
We have never met but I remember Bill from those RMC days so very well. I want to add my sympathies to those of other classmates of Bill’s. Heather Ann, I know we are walking down similar paths as I lost my beautiful wife, Penny, less than two weeks ago.
Tom
Dear Heather Ann,
Marlene and I send our most sincere condolences to you, the boys and their families at the news of Bill’s shocking passing.
He was such a loyal member of the Corps in his many iterations over the years … but most important to us he was a good friend.
May we offer you a hug at what must be the most difficult time for you in your life, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Clive Addy
Heather, I was so sorry to hear about Bill’s death. Know that you are in my thoughts. Lois McNabb Lambe.
Dear Heather-Anne
Sorry about your sudden loss. We always felt that Bill had Roy’s best interests at heart when Bill was DCO and Roy was OpsO.
You will be in our thoughts at this difficult time.
Roy and Jane Thomas
Heather-Ann:
Please accept our condolences on the passing of Bill.
You may not remember us but I was a young Lt in 8CH when Bill was DCO. Susan and I were married the year before you arrived.
I recall that Bill was a real guidepost for all of us young officers. I particularly appreciated his counsel when I was Senior Subaltern. I also recall his excellent sense of humour, punctuated frequently by his laughter at the things that made Regular Army life what it was. I wanted to say as well that the subbies appreciated his very careful advice and leadership when he was the DCO at 8CH during that very uncertain time. His experience and approachable nature made his presence absolutely invaluable at the Regiment then.
I was delighted when I heard that Bill had assumed command of the 1st Hussars (my unit prior to RRMC/RMC and later when I served as Adjutant on Regular Support Staff). It also seemed the right choice when Bill was made District Commander. I met him one more time years ago when our Toronto Staff College course visited GM Diesel and he was the management rep assigned to tour us through the plant.
I know that he will be missed by so many but clearly he will be missed the most by his family. On behalf of Susan and me, please accept our heartfelt condolences and very best wishes.
Sincerely,
Paul Crober
Dear Heather Pat and I were .sorry to learn of Bills sudden death yesterday—I am on the Strathcona e-mail list and keeps me informed of regimental life.We are also in Florida at Panama City Beach..Please be assured of our thoughts and prayers–I am c e lebrating the Eucharist to morrow morning and he will be the special intention of the liturgy at Grace Episcopal Church—-may he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Alex former chaplain LDSH(RC) S152RMC and Pat Wakeling
Heather
I am very sad at the news of Bill’s passing.
I want you to know of my sympathy for you and your children.
Bill was a person that I respected, and he was such a nice guy!
We were room mates at Camp Borden and enjoyed our mutual association the full time.
Here’s wishing you and your family great comfort at this very difficult time.
Be happy for the good times you had.
Best Regards
Walter Cotie
Dear Heather Ann,
I am sadden to learn of Bill’s sudden passing. I didn’t know him very well but always enjoyed seeing him and sharing a brief conversation with you both. I have no doubt he will be greatly missed by all who knew him well.
My sincere condolences on your loss.
Meryl
Dear Heather and family,
How sad it was to learn of Bill’s sudden passing.
We have fond memories of our time together in Calgary and Germany in the 60′s.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Beverley and Ian Barnes
Dear Heather Ann and family
We were very sorry to get the news of Bill’ s passing.
I remember the first days at Road’s. We talked a lot. If I remember correctly we were both duty cadets on the first day. Naturally we didn’t do it right, but we survived.
The days of Roads and RMC are long passed but the memories remain.
Unfortunately we will have to be satisfied with that.
Please accept our sincere condolences and our thoughts are with you and your family.
Love Bob and Jo-Anne Bryden
Dear Heather-Anne and family -
We were so shocked and saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a
wonderful man and we always enjoyed his company.
Our thoughts are with all of you.
Sincere regards,
Greg & Bonnie Taylor
Heather-Ann
Please accept my condolences, Bill was a good hearted and kind man. Very sorry to hear of his passing.
Dick Green
Heather Ann
Sylvia and I just received the news of Bill’s sudden passing. To say that we are shocked and saddened by this news is a gross understatement. Please know that you and the boys are in our thoughts and prayers.
With our love and deepest sympathy,
Sylvia and John
Dear Heather Ann !
please accept my most sincere regrets at Bill’s passing. He was a fine fellow and I always enjoyed our occasional meetings over the years – especially when planning our 50 year of entry occasion ! He will be sorely missed !
John Bird
My deepest sympathies for your loss, I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Kelly
We are sorry for your family’s loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Heather Anne and family
It was a shock to hear of Bill’s passing when we returned to Qatar after an eleven day absence. Although Bill and I did serve together we crossed paths many time during our careers. As recognised by many he was a dedicated, professional who was an inspiration to many. His sense of humour was much appreciated. He will be missed at the Henry Sampson. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Bill and Betty
Please accept my deepest sympathy at the loss of Col Bill. He was always good to me and I shall miss him greatly. He always lived life to the fullest. I can still hear his laugh as I write this. He was always very proud of you and Jay and your accomplishments. I maintain it was the refining influence the 1st Hussars had on all three of you. All the best at this time and I hope we will be able to give your Dad a proper send off at some point in the future.
Sir,
Please accept Laura and I’s deepest condolences on the passing of your father.
Dwayne
Bill, a dear friend and comrade in arms. It has been a privilege to have been a part of your life – in Canada and overseas in the far east. Your love of life, good food and good wine will stay in our memories forever. We raise a final glass to you in salute – it has been said – “Everyone we meet leaves an imprint on our lives and you have certainly enriched ours.” You have been a true friend always and you will be sadly missed.
Larry & Susan
Chris and I are very sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. Please accept our sincerest condolences. The girls have said a special prayer for you and your family.
Kevin, Christine, Jordan, Regan and Sophie
To Mrs. Claggett, Stuart, Doug, Jay and all the grandkids,
We are so, so sorry to hear this heart-breaking news and we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers, both now and the days and months to come.
I have so many fond memories of ‘Mr. Claggett’, from all throughout my childhood. He always has that glorious, somewhat mischievous smile and that twinkle in his eyes. He always seemed like such a boy himself, up for mischief and trouble.
Words cannot adequately express our sadness at his sudden passing. We will be thinking of you all.
Love, Louise, Carlos and girls
It is hard to express our shock and sorrow at the loss of such a good friend and such a wonderful man. Over the years you have both offered us unwavering friendship and support, though good times and some pretty difficult ones. I wish we were not so far away during this trying time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and with that very special friend whom we will miss dearly and remember fondly. We will see you in about a week. Love Bill and Cathy
Heather and family:
I can’t believe that the very happy, like able Bill is gone. Such nice memories about living in Ottawa and loved eating your food. We will see you in the summer on Howe island