William "Bill" Neelands

April 23, 1937 - June 4, 2019

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NEELANDS, William (Bill).  - Former Walters Falls resident, passed suddenly at his Chatsworth home June 4, 2019 at age 82. Bill is now reunited with his wife of 56 years, Lola (nee Young), who predeceased him in 2015. Survived by their children Rick Neelands of Markdale, Kim Lovett (Robert) of Dryden, Darlene Neelands-Ormsby of Meaford, Heather Walters (Kevin) of Markdale, and Todd Neelands (LeeAnn) of Chatsworth. Cherished grandpa of Nathan, Meagan, Kyle (Megan), Adam, Ryan (McKenzie), Colin (Nikki), Aaron, Andrew (Mady), Ashley, Nichole (Steve) and great grand-children Skylar, Breyer, Winston, and Andrew. Bill is also survived by his siblings Maxine Seabrook of Walters Falls, Constance Neelands (Carl Seeley), Hugh Neelands (Carol), Wendy Neelands, Edward Neelands, Andrew Neelands (Lori Ferguson), all of Massie, Patricia Campbell of Holland Centre, and sister-in-law Lois Saltonoski of Meaford. Bill cherished his relationship with all of his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents W. John and Bernice (nee Collins) Neelands, brother Robert Neelands, and in-laws Norman Seabrook, Peter Campbell, Allan Saltonoski, and Rosemary Neelands. 

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​Bill was outgoing, smiling, optimistic, and never had a negative word to say about anyone. But who wouldn't be that positive, when their family was “almost perfect"! Bill was born at home in the village of Chatsworth and at the age of 7, the family moved to the farm, where he attended Massie School. As the eldest son of 9 siblings, even by age 10, he knew hard work, hard times, and the responsibility of caring for his family. As his father often sought work off the farm including as a farm labourer in Saskatchewan during the harvest excursions, it was Bill's responsibility to work on the farm and make frequent trips alone to the Massie Grist Mill and to Chatsworth for provisions. After his school days, he became a talented builder, specializing in concrete foundations, and was also an excellent carpenter and field stone mason. Like many of the Neelands family, Bill was musically inclined and loved to sing and dance. It was while attending a dance with Connie and Lloyd that he would meet his beloved Lola. It was not long before they married and started a family of their own. Five children in 7 years would follow and Bill adored his family. He always found time for them, and after long days at work, he welcomed his kids' challenge to footraces up the lane way. Tragedy would strike the family by means of fire on three occasions, however it also forged in Bill his resolve to rebuild and confirmed his faith in family, friends and neighbours. By far his greatest pastime was hunting. As a trapper too, it also added to the family income. Mink, beaver, raccoon and muskrat were the most sought after by Bill, his friends and the beloved hounds. His love of hounds led to the Trail Hound Dog Supplies Store which Bill and Lola ran from their home. The parking lot would be full with vehicles, especially on Saturdays from as far away as Toronto, as it became a gathering place to share hunting tales, purchase collars, scents, name tags, Skunk-Off, and drink lots of coffee. Bill and Lola also bred and showed their prize winning hounds and loved to talk dogs to anyone who would listen, here or far away. (Including Loretta Lynn... true story!) It wasn't uncommon to see a dozen or more hounds going for a walk from the Neelands house. At home, he was a respectful family man, a jokester with the kids and he always had a sparkle in his eye when his singing voice raised above all others while Lola played the piano. He loved to go for a dip in the Neelands pond, do a playful jig, or get cleaned up and tell the kids how handsome he was before heading to a dance with Lola. It wasn't uncommon that he would work from sunup to sundown, grab a quick meal, head out to hunt until 2 or 3 am, only to return to work again at sunrise. All the kids agreed that he could never have picked a more supportive wife than Lola, who would always have meals for him as well as any hunter who happened to arrive back at the house after the hunt. He and Lola loved to dance, and their house was often full of friends, music, dance, and laughter. His lasting legacy is that all were welcomed at their home, no one was ever turned away, he always had time to listen and to offer advice. He will always be remembered as the rock of his family

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Arrangements have been entrusted to Garafraxa Hill Funeral Home, Chatsworth. Family will receive friends at visitations Friday, June 7 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. and Saturday June 8 at 11:00 am. The Funeral Service will be held at Garafraxa Hill Funeral Home Chapel, Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 12:00 noon, with interment to follow at McLean’s Cemetery, Bognor. Pastor Michael Henkel officiating. Family and friends are welcome to a lunch and refreshments at Massie Hall.  If desired, donations to Massie United Church or McLean's Cemetery would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.garafraxahillfuneral.com