BILL RANNEY

William "Bill" Ranney passed away peacefully on October, 23, 2025 at his home of over 50 years on Hodge Street in Thunder Bay.

Bill was born in London, Ontario on November 16, 1931, and was raised on a farm in Salford, Ontario. Growing up, he was a farm boy through and through, instilling a quality of tireless hard work which he carried with him into his career in the early 1950's, initially as a Road Construction Project Supervisor with the Department of Highways.

Bill met the love of his life, Margaret Oliver, in the late 1950's and they were married on February 4, 1961. Together they raised four kids, bouncing around southern Ontario for ten years until finally settling in the north, which became their home to stay.

Bill's career took him to Thunder Bay in 1971, with the Ministry of Transportation, as the manager of remote airports, which included creating and building airports at over twenty communities in the remote regions of northern and northwestern Ontario. This project generated new accesses for the people of these communities which changed their lives in a positive way forever. Bill was known as the Pioneer of the "Highways in the Sky Project," and he and his team were proud of this accomplishment beyond words. Because of the strong relationships he developed in the First Nation communities, upon Bill's retirement from the MTO, Bearskin Airlines quickly recruited him to join their team. Bill enjoyed being a liaison of sorts for ten years with Bearskin. Bill understood the importance of helping people and was a dedicated volunteer at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.

A passion of Bill's was singing. From his days as a teenager in Salford, all the way to just a few years ago in Thunder Bay, he could be found singing in boy's bands, on his tractor, church choirs, as well as a soloist at many weddings, funerals, hospitals, and senior's homes. He truly enjoyed entertaining people and seeing the smiles he put on their faces.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marg; his four children, Scott (Colleen Hirslund), Barb Ranney-Graf (Hanspeter Graf), Dianne Mallon (Kelly), and Sandy Williamson (Dan); his grandchildren, Samantha, Kayla, Chanel, Ryan, Brendan, Reagan, and Daryn, and great grandson Levi.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Mabel and Peyton, and his brother and sister-in-law Paul and Letabeth.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, in Sargent Family Reception Centre, 21 North Court Street, Thunder Bay. Words of tribute will be offered at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Charity of Your Choice in Bill's memory.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com