October 25, 1938 – August 23, 2021

It is with broken hearts that the family of William (Bill) Houlihan announce his passing on August 23, 2021 at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor at the age of 82.

Bill is deceased by his parents, Thomas and Cecily Houlihan; Brother, Edmund and Sister, Mary.

Blessed with many happy and cherished memories are his loving wife, Betty of 53 years; his Daughters, Wendy (Max) and Tina (Dean) precious Granddaughters, Emma and Kaylee Pitcher; Brothers James and Gerald; Sisters Kathleen and Monica, and a large circle of nieces, nephews, family & friends.

Bill, also known affectionately by his parents and family as Willie, was born on Merasheen Island, Placentia Bay. He left his island home to study Refrigeration and Diesel Mechanics at college in St. John’s. He married his Merasheen sweetheart Betty and they settled in Grand Falls-Windsor where they raised their two daughters. Bill had a wonderful 30-year career with NL Hydro, but his heart was never far away from Merasheen. He spent many a summer vacations returning to fish with his father and brothers and attended several island reunions.

Bill never had the desire to travel very far to see other parts of the country or world. His career took him to some of the most beautiful ocean locations right here at home. His task was to keep the lights on in outport communities such as Rencontre East, Fogo Island, Change Islands, St. Brendan’s, Little Bay Islands, LePoile, Francois, Westport, Petite Forte and Harbour Deep. He forged many life-long friendships with his Hydro co-workers and the families that he boarded with over the years.

Bill loved the outdoors, from moose hunting, rabbit snaring and berry picking, to tending to his vegetable garden and his favourite pastime, cutting wood. He was a big fan of Baseball and Hockey. He enjoyed his summer evenings and weekends watching ball games at the field; and in the winter, he never missed many Senior Hockey games at the stadium.

Bill was a quiet, kind and gentle man. He was proud of his daughters’ accomplishments; enjoyed a great relationship with his sons-in-law and most proud of his granddaughters Emma and Kaylee. He never missed a school concert and proudly stood at the ballfield for hours on end to watch the girls play ball. He loved spending time with them enjoying lots of fun, laughter and love.

We will miss our beloved Husband, Dad and Pop dearly. Our memories will live in our hearts forever.

Thank you to friends and family who called and visited Bill during his short illness and to the physicians, nurses and paramedics of the Emergency Department at CNRHC for their great care. A special thank you to Palliative Care Nurse, Ruth Wells.

He Only Takes The Best

God saw that he was getting tired,
A cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around him
and whispered, "Come with Me."
With tearful eyes, we watched him Fade,
And saw him slip away.
Although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes "the best."

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South and Central Health Foundation www.scHealthFoundation.ca, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Cremation has taken place. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Maher’s Funeral Home, Placentia. Visitation to take place on Tuesday, August 31, from 12 p.m. -9 p.m. Funeral Service to take place on Wednesday, September 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Placentia.  Inurnment to follow at Dermot McGettigan Memorial Cemetery, Southeast Placentia.