William “Bill” Alexander Abbott

(1926-2024)

William Alexander Abbott, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went home peacefully to be with Jesus Christ his Lord on Thursday, November 15, 2024, at the age of 98. William (Bill) was born to Laurence and Bertha Abbott on June 2, 1926, in Capreol, Ontario, where he grew up adventuring in the woods with his dog team, fishing, picking blueberries and learning to hunt. Bill’s appreciation of nature and his passion for outdoor activities stayed with him for his entire life.

Around 1940, Bill’s family moved to Sarnia, where he completed his high school education at SCITS. Upon his graduation in 1944, Bill immediately enlisted in the navy to serve in WWII. He sailed on the Atlantic, until the last run to Murmansk, Russia, and finished his naval career on the Pacific in 1946. He was a proud veteran.

Bill returned to Sarnia where, with the help of his father, he opened Abbott Boat Works. On August 12, 1950, he married Ruth Anne Jamieson McCracken and with the prophetic sign, “Watch Canada Grow” affixed to the bumper, headed off for their honeymoon. In the mid 1950’s they moved their family and the company to 1458 London Road where Bill and Ruth raised their eight children. In 1990 he built a custom home in Wyoming, Ontario, affectionately known as the “Shack In The Bush”, while the business continued to thrive in Sarnia.

Bill was always on the go, balancing the time he spent on his family, his faith, the out-of-doors, sailing, and running Abbott Boats. Bill’s love for outdoor activities regularly brought him back to the north. The hub for these activities was established when Bill and his wife Ruth, with baby Ruth in arms, built a one room cabin in 1951, on the shore of Lake Wanapitei. Over the years, this became the cherished summer retreat for the ever-growing Abbott family.

Bill’s personal competitive drive played an integral part in the success of his boat business and his later entry into racing sailboats. In the first decade of Abbott Boat Works, Bill built and raced wooden power boats, then over the years transitioned into building many classes of sailboat. He built boats that included the Dragon, Folk Boat, Soling, Finn, Wayfarer and Banshee, but also an Abbott Line of boats: the Abbott 22, 27, 28, 33, 36, and Waverbreaker, Fisherman 22 fishing boats and canoes. Bill’s boats were constructed to high standards, and he achieved world-wide recognition as a skilled builder. This provided an entry into the world of competitive sailing, in which he excelled over the next two decades. Some of his proud accomplishments were being named to the 1980 Canadian Olympic Team, 1983 Canadian Pan-Am Team, and winning gold in a Soling North American Championship. Besides other victories and placements in Mackinac races, a special achievement was winning both 1st in class and 1st in Division, sailing an Abbott 33 in the 1991 Bayview Mackinac race. Bill was always an avid competitor in local Sarnia Yacht Club races.

Bill’s established international reputation in the sailing world was recognized in various ways: he was as a Life-Time member of the Sarnia Yacht Club, which donated the William Abbott Senior Trophy to the CYA, to be awarded yearly to the best sail training program in Canada; the Film Board of Canada included Abbott Boats in the travelog series, “About Town”; a 90th birthday sail past at the Sarnia Yacht Club; and many articles were written about him. Bill was also included as a ‘Legend of Sailing’ by Ontario Sailing in 2017.

Bill’s nickname ‘Chief’ first came about to differentiate him from his son, Bill Jr., who took over his father’s role as Skipper when racing. The name stuck. He became known at home and worldwide as Chief.

Bill made an early profession of faith in Jesus Christ and lived out his life with integrity and trust in God’s Word for guidance. He was a dedicated, respected member and deacon of Devine Street Gospel Chapel, where his deep bass voice could be heard in praise and song. His building skills helped support activities for the Boys Brigade, and he supported the work of many travelling missionaries.

Bill’s energy remained high in his 80’s and 90’s as he continued to hunt, fish, sail, design and build. His aim remained steady, and his focus laser-sharp on the tip of his fishing rod. He rebuilt the cottage and accomplished his life-long dream of building a Bush Caddy float plane in the basement of his house at the age of 85, assisted in the project by his friends and family. It was a thrill for him to see it land at the cottage, piloted by his son. As noted by one of his grandchildren, he has left a legacy of adventure, hard work, faith, love and unstoppable drive and energy.

Bill is survived by many loving family members to carry on his legacy: Ruth (Leonard) Ward, Janet Beatty, Bill (Joanne) Abbott, Grace (Harold) Shiels, Christine (David) Steeper, Barbara Burns, Laurence (Julie) Abbott, Matthew (April) Abbott, 23 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wonderful wife of 73 years, Ruth Anne (McCracken) (July 21, 2023) and by his parents, Laurence and Bertha, sisters Betty Root (late Eric) and Mae Densmore (late Vern).

Many thanks for the wonderful care that William received from the staff and community at Landmark Village, the regular visits from Sue Browning of the Sarnia Legion, the amazing nurses at Bluewater Health and E.R. doctors, Dr. Gamble, Dr. Innes and Dr. Al-Saadon. A special thank you to Dr. Kim and the community of Sarnia for the gift of hospice care for Bill’s last hours. It was a great comfort to the family.

A donation in honour and memory of William Alexander Abbott can be made to: ShareWord Global (previously known as “Gideons”), at sharewordglobal.com. The Inn of the Good Shepherd, St. Joseph’s Hospice Resource Centre of Sarnia Lambton, Sarnia Yacht Club Junior Sailors

Visitation and the funeral will take place at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, ON. The visitation: Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The funeral: Friday, November 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A lunch will follow the service. Burial will follow the luncheon. Memories and condolences may be sent online at www.smithfuneralhome.ca