JAMES, William Haig James

Passed away peacefully in Guelph General Hospital on Wednesday April 1st, 2026, in his 95th year. ( Bill (William) Haig James )

He was the beloved husband of June (Stanzel) who passed in 2023. They were married for 70 years and lived for much of that time on Trulls Road in Courtice, Ontario. For the last year he lived in a retirement residence in Guelph where he was closer to family.

William Haig James was the much-loved father of Jennifer James (Lynn Mutton), Donald (Melanie Abbott), Glenn (Shelley), and son-in-law Wayde Preston (Lisa Byers). He was predeceased by his daughter, Sheila James, his parents, Ben and Annie James and his brother, Ben. He is survived by his sister Jane Anne Chamney (John). He was a special friend of Nancy Walker, Donald’s former partner. Bill took great joy in his grandchildren, Victoria, Ben, Patrick (Amy), Georgina (Randy), and Ellen. He enjoyed extended family dinners and get-togethers with his many Stanzel family in-laws.

Bill’s life was focused on caring for and supporting his family, and his work in the automotive parts manufacturing industry. After June’s stroke he became completely dedicated to being June’s loving primary care-giver. In all aspects of his life he was focused on details. He spent countless hours showing his kids how to properly position a baseball glove. Professionally, he was absorbed in and took great satisfaction in solving complex problems. The majority of his career was spent with Houdaille Industries, and then with A G Simpson where he was Plant Manager.

In his later life, Bill was happiest spending time with June in Courtice, road trips in the fall around northern Ontario and to Atlantic Canada, and spending winters in Florida. He enjoyed playing golf with June and their friends; gardening in Courtice, where he took great pride in his day lilies; long walks with June and a pair of binoculars to watch birds; puttering around the farm in Lanark County; having the grandkids underfoot; fishing; watching the Blue Jays; Canadian Club dinners in Bowmanville; deer hunting and campfire lunches with the boys in November; and, euchre games at the Folger Hunt Club.

He will be missed by many.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Bill’s life on Saturday May 23rd, 2026 at St. James Anglican Church Hall, 225 Edmund Street, Carleton Place, Ontario from 10:00 am – 1:30 pm. Remembrances will be shared at 11:30, with lunch at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at St. George’s Anglican Cemetery, Bowland Road, Mississippi Mills (Union Hall), Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Simcoe Hall Settlement House would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home, 53 Division Street North, Bowmanville. Online Condolences may be left at: www.northcuttelliott.com