Canadian WWII veteran Bill Wilson passes away at 101

Bill Wilson, one of Canada’s last surviving Second World War veterans, died on Monday at age 101. Born in Manitoba in 1924, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942 and served aboard HMCS Ottawa, taking part in the D‑Day landings on Juno Beach, Normandy, on 6 June 1944.

After the war he remained active in veteran affairs, joining Canadian delegations to D‑Day and Netherlands anniversary commemorations. He helped create the Naval Museum of Alberta and The Military Museums in Calgary. A celebration of his life is planned for August at the Naval Reserve unit HMCS Tecumseh in Calgary, where he most recently served.