Bill died peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2025 with his family by his side, after a short illness. Survived by his partner Linda Hansen, children Janne (Song), Nancy (Allan), David (Lisa), Cindy (Mike) and Tom (Anne-Marie), Tammy (Rick), Jay (Nicky), and Drew (Kelly), and grandchildren Christopher, Carmen, Peter, Ben, Ellen, Gillian, Alex, Owen, Bronwyn, Calvin, Holly, Gavin, AJ, Talia, Josie, Jac, Ben, Wescott, Lucas, Lucy, and Halle, as well as a large extended family. Predeceased by his parents, Mary Stark and Carlos Tamblyn, his wife Marie Kent, and his siblings Paul (Doreen) and Sharon (David).
Bill was born in Bowmanville and lived and worked in Orono for most of his life. He graduated from Bowmanville High School and the University of Guelph, and returned to Orono to live and work at Tamlane Farms. Bill married Marie in 1964 and together they raised five children until her passing in 2001. Later, he found happiness again with Linda and moved to Newtonville and then Cobourg.
He actively participated in his community, volunteering with Orono United Church, the Orono Fair, and as a 4-H leader with the Durham East 4-H club. Bill was a kind and gentle man who loved being a dairy farmer, especially in the springtime. In retirement, he nurtured his farmer instincts through a large garden and enjoyed when neighbor’s chickens helped keep it pest-free.
Bill loved to tinker and fix things, and often found joy in simple tasks like repairing doors or building birdhouses. He treasured relaxing outdoors with a good book and sought any sunny spot he could find. His favorite moments, however, were raising a glass of wine at lively family gatherings, surrounded by those he loved.
He will be missed so very much.
Donations: In Bill’s memory, donations can be made to the Clarington Food Bank.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the Orono Arena and Community Centre, 2 Princess St., Orono, ON L0B 1M0.
