William ‘Bill’ C. Frank
January 18, 2023
Bill passed away peacefully with family by his side, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 in his 100th year, at Chartwell London Long Term Care Residence. Predeceased by Margaret (2014), his devoted wife of 69 years. Proud father of Joan Frank (1948), Ruth Dickie (Cliff), Dave Frank (Donna), Charlie Frank (Cathy) and Marianne Mitchell. Adored Grandpa to Sherri Dickie, Brad Dickie (Danielle), Brian Frank (Vanessa), Dan Frank (Melissa), Julianne Lee (Dave), Kyle Frank (Veronica), Eric Frank (Richelle), Cam Mitchell (Jaclyn) and Katie Mitchell (Simon). Great-Grandpa to Blythe, Maeve, Myles, Miller, Andersenn, Avery, Sophie, Alex, Vivian, Remy, Jacks and Oliver. Predeceased by his sisters Louelda Kirk, Elsie Foster and Marie Frank. Fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his special friend, Betty Link.
Bill was born July 24, 1923 on the family farm in London Township, to Charles and Rosella (McBain) Frank. He started his agricultural business, Hyde Park Farm Supply, on the corner of the farm in the mid-1950s. It grew and evolved throughout his entire life.
Bill was always very involved in the community. He was a proud member of the Doric Lodge for nearly 80 years, serving as Master in 1959 and District Deputy in 1967, and was also a member of the Scottish Rite Lodge and Mocha Shriners. Bill was Chair, East Middlesex District High School Board, 1968; President, Ilderton Fair, 1969; Middlesex Member of Parliament 1972-74; Chair, London Housing Authority; Director, London Chamber of Commerce; Co-Chair, International Plowing Match, Lucan, 1982. He was honoured to be inducted into the Middlesex County Agricultural Hall of Fame, 2008. Last but not least, he was famous for his delicious chicken barbeques for decades. Bill spent many years as an avid golfer at Sunningdale and Westhaven, and loved curling at the Ilderton Curling Club. He was a dedicated member of Hyde Park United, Oakridge Presbyterian, Ilderton United and Colborne United churches. Special thanks to the staff of Chartwell for their compassion and kindness.
A masonic service under the auspices of Rising Star Lodge #81 will be conducted on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, followed by a visitation from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., with a funeral service being conducted at 2:00 p.m. A livestream of the funeral service will be available for those unable to attend in person. To register for the livestream, please click here:
Livestream of funeral service for Bill on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Bill are asked to consider Ilderton United Church, Colborne United Church or the Ilderton Agricultural Society.
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A donation has been made to Ilderton United Church.
My sincerest condolences to all the family. I met Bill at the Ilderton curling club. I curled with him for a few years and although I was a terrible lead he was always calm and kind. I was really touched when Bill sent a bouquet of flowers home with my husband during my chemo treatments. I enjoyed having Bill at our socials after a game. Our world would be a better place with more men like Bill.
A donation has been made to Ilderton Agricultural Society. Message from the donator: The Frank Family, Our sincere condolences to you. We hope you will be able to reflect on a life well lived and cherish your memories. Sincerely, Bill and Mary Anne Dowding
Sending condolences to all of the Frank family. Many organizations such as the community, churches and the Conservative party benefited from his years of service. Cherish the good memories. Lynda and Rick
A donation has been made to Colborne United Church. Message from the donator: Dear Frank Family Sincere condolences to you all. Bill was truly one in a million. I was so lucky to get to know him over the years and fortunate that for some unknown reason our stars aligned. I will miss him dearly-- his great sense of humour, endless energy and enthusiasm for life. He was a real joy. I am hoping that the perennial hibiscus (rose mallow) that he sent Charlie on a mission to deliver to my door last summer will make it through the winter. It will have a special home in my garden as Bill does in my heart.
Ruth, Cliff, and all the Frank family. So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May fond memories of his great life, accomplishments and memories give you strength.
Our condolences to you and your family Charlie....
A donation has been made to Colborne Street United Church. Message from the donator: Our condolences on the passing of your dear father, father-in-law and grandfather. Bill will be missed by many people.
A donation has been made to Ilderton United Church. Message from the donator: We offer our condolences to all of the family members.
The Frank Family; Please accept our sincere condolences at this difficult time. Bill leaves a wonderful legacy through his family and accomplishments over the years. In time may all of your wonderful memories bring you comfort.
A donation has been made to Ilderton Agriculture Society.
Dear Bill's Family: Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us everyday, Unseen, unheard, but very near, Still Missed, still Loved and very dear. Don & Elvy
We were sorry to hear of Bills passing. We always had great conversations followed with pictures. He was so interested in everyone. Just a ball of energy. Our deepest condolences to the family.
A donation has been made to Ilderton United Church. Message from the donator: With our sincere condolences to all the family of Bill; he had a great presence in the lives of many.
A donation has been made to Ilderton Agricultural Society. Message from the donator: My condolences to the Frank Families. Uncle Bill was an inspiration to many in his lifetime! Love Catherine
A donation has been made to Ilderton Agricultural Society. Message from the donator: Sincere condolences to Ruth, Dave, Charles and Marianne on the loss of your father. Bill was a valued and loyal friend to the Colbert family.
A donation has been made to Colborne United Church. Message from the donator: With Deepest Sympathy… I’m so sorry for Your loss of such a wonderful man who touch the hearts of so many. He certainly made a difference in my life and I’m so grateful for the friendship we shared over the last near 20 years… I hope you can find comfort in knowing he will be fondly remembered by so many dear friends.
Uncle Bill's passion for community service was a great example for all of us to follow. I will never forget the experience of campaigning for the elections, knocking on all those doors! Uncle Bill's ability to continue playing his beloved golf and curling late in life was always fun to hear about. He was so full of energy. We will truly miss you Uncle Bill.
Ruth, Dave, Charlie and other family members- our sympathies on the loss of your father and grandfather.
My deepest sympathy to the Frank Family. Bill was always friendly and ready for a chat. The chicken barbeques and Mason fruit cakes will bring memories to cherish . Thinking of you at this sad time. Shirley Cobban South Caradoc
We are sending deepest condolences to all of the Frank family. Bill led such a full life, giving so much to his family and community. What a legacy he has left!
Dave and Donna, My sympathies to you and your family at this time.
Dear Frank Family: We were sorry to read of Bill's passing. What a long wonderful life. Our sincere condolences to all of you. Clarke and Grace Rollings
Growing up so close to the Franks we all have fond memories of Bill and his entire family. Always an inquiry as to family when you bumped in to him. His big smile was generous and sincere. I speak for all of my family when I send our deepest condolences to your family.
Dear Frank family, We were so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy. What a well lived long life! We enjoyed our many visits with your dad at the former Country Hearth restaurant. We also enjoyed watching your dad on the Shriners float playing the cymbals. We have so many fond memories of your dad when he was co chair of the plowing match for my dad Jack McNamara. May the many memories that you have of your dad bring you comfort now and in the future. Your family is in our thoughts during this difficult time. Sincerely, Norma McNamara, Judy and Dave Roberts
Our sincere condolences to the Frank family. It's truly amazing to make to your 100th year. We would always look for Bill playing the cymbals on the Shiner's float in the Ilderton Fair parade.
What a great example of how to live your life. I enjoyed my my many visits with him at OPC and the popular hill chicken BBQ. My condolences to his family. Tom Cobban
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Living on Frank Lane, gave me many an opportunity to share in this remarkable life. His energy and sense of duty to his community are an example to us all.
My condolences to all of the family. A remarkable man who gave so much and never seemed to tire. Now he can rest. Cherish the memories.
Sending our condolences to Ruth, Cliff, David, Charlie and Marianne and your families. We hold fond memories of growing up in Hyde Park and the friendship of Bill and Margaret to our family.
Our sincere condolences to each of the Frank family in the loss of your Dad. He was an inspiration to everyone who met him over the years.
Our sincere condolences to Ruth,Dave,Charlie ,Marianne and their families. He was a true BLUE mentor and friend. He approached everything he did with energy and his contagious smile. With sympathy Bev and Barb
A rare individual, who gave back more than he took from life. This is a compliment that we should all strive for, but few of us can claim. I was proud to have known him.
A donation has been made to Ilderton United. Message from the donator: Truly a pleasure to have met Bill and share conversations and meals over the past few years. The epitome of a gentleman to us, his special friend and undoubtedly to all he met.
Marianne, Cam, Katie & Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Treasure all those wonderful memories and happy times as a family.
Dear Frank Family, I send condolences as another chapter of Hyde Park history sadly closes with the passing of your patriarch Bill..Blessings to all who mourn, Dawn Cumming
To all of the Frank families Our sincere condolences go out to you on the passing of this wonderful man. What a feat to make the 100 th year. Bill was such an interesting and informed man, great conversationalist and community leader. He will be missed Sharon Brown
Dear Frank Family, We are sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Our friendship with Bill and family goes back a long time. Bill was a wonderful person . He was a good business man and trusted us with his land and pasture over many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Bill spent many years volunteering and was a great promoter of the Ilderton Fair. Thinking of the Frank family at this sad time.
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A donation has been made to Ilderton Agricultural Society.
~ Terry & JoAnne Tunks