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WILLIAM LEES
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WILLIAM LEES Obituary
November 20, 1934 ~ February 13, 2026
William (Bill) Lees was born November 1934, in Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland to parents William L Lees (Sr,) and Emily Jane Lees (nee Abernethy). He grew up in north Belfast and graduated in 1956 with a B.Sc (Hons) in Civil Engineering from Queen's University.
He immigrated to Canada in 1957. At that time there was a high demand for civil engineers in Canada, and he accepted a position with the Ontario Department of Highways. He worked on various projects throughout the province including Elliot Lake, Chapleau, Sault Ste Marie, North Bay, London, and Thunder Bay. He then moved over to the Ministry of Northern Affairs in 1978. After a brief return to the Ministry of Transportation as Regional Director, Northern Region in North Bay, he again moved to the Ministry of Northern Affairs as Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Development and Transportation Division, Kenora, subsequently moving back to Thunder Bay in 1986.
He retired from the Ontario Government service in 1990, and then formed William L Lees and Associates Limited, providing engineering, project development and organizational consulting services to federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations governments, and private sector clients, until 2015.
He met his wife-to-be Helen (Hair) in London, Ontario in 1963, and they were married in 1964. They remained happily and lovingly together until her death in 2023.
Bill (Lowry to his Irish family and friends), was an avid student of information in many fields, including national and international economic and political issues and trends, developments in engineering, and distant and modern history. He served on the Board of Directors of Quetico Centre, and Creighton Youth Services.
He and Helen were frequent travelers to Ireland, the British Isles and Western Europe, and were fortunate to have been able to visit many interesting and exotic parts of the world.
Bill was a lifelong squash player and was also interested in boating. He and Helen spent many summers cruising the north shore of Lake Superior in their power boat Panacea.
He was predeceased by his son John in 2019. Left to mourn are son Brian (Susan), and grandson Christian of Duarte, California and daughter Laurie (Stewart) of Kenora and granddaughter Alexandria (Vince) of Kelowna, BC. Close family friends Donna Barrow and Susanne Delaney join the family in grieving.
A Celebration of William's life will take place on Thursday, February 19 beginning at 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm in the Arbor Lounge of Harbourview Funeral Centre with words of tribute beginning at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca
William (Bill) Lees was born November 1934, in Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland to parents William L Lees (Sr,) and Emily Jane Lees (nee Abernethy). He grew up in north Belfast and graduated in 1956 with a B.Sc (Hons) in Civil Engineering from Queen's University.
He immigrated to Canada in 1957. At that time there was a high demand for civil engineers in Canada, and he accepted a position with the Ontario Department of Highways. He worked on various projects throughout the province including Elliot Lake, Chapleau, Sault Ste Marie, North Bay, London, and Thunder Bay. He then moved over to the Ministry of Northern Affairs in 1978. After a brief return to the Ministry of Transportation as Regional Director, Northern Region in North Bay, he again moved to the Ministry of Northern Affairs as Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Development and Transportation Division, Kenora, subsequently moving back to Thunder Bay in 1986.
He retired from the Ontario Government service in 1990, and then formed William L Lees and Associates Limited, providing engineering, project development and organizational consulting services to federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations governments, and private sector clients, until 2015.
He met his wife-to-be Helen (Hair) in London, Ontario in 1963, and they were married in 1964. They remained happily and lovingly together until her death in 2023.
Bill (Lowry to his Irish family and friends), was an avid student of information in many fields, including national and international economic and political issues and trends, developments in engineering, and distant and modern history. He served on the Board of Directors of Quetico Centre, and Creighton Youth Services.
He and Helen were frequent travelers to Ireland, the British Isles and Western Europe, and were fortunate to have been able to visit many interesting and exotic parts of the world.
Bill was a lifelong squash player and was also interested in boating. He and Helen spent many summers cruising the north shore of Lake Superior in their power boat Panacea.
He was predeceased by his son John in 2019. Left to mourn are son Brian (Susan), and grandson Christian of Duarte, California and daughter Laurie (Stewart) of Kenora and granddaughter Alexandria (Vince) of Kelowna, BC. Close family friends Donna Barrow and Susanne Delaney join the family in grieving.
A Celebration of William's life will take place on Thursday, February 19 beginning at 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm in the Arbor Lounge of Harbourview Funeral Centre with words of tribute beginning at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal on Feb. 14, 2026.
Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM LEES
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Michael and Christine Davies
February 14, 2026
Bill was a very good friend for many years. He will be sadly missed not only on the squash court and on fishing trips but also on the odd visit to the D'Vinci centre or the Mad House.
He will leave a large hole in our lives.
Michael and Christine
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