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William COLEMAN Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for William COLEMAN
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13 Entries
Bruce Hotchkiss
June 17, 2025
I first met Will at Carleton. My ex-wife, and Will's ex Susan, were friends. When Will and Sue moved to Chicago for his graduate work I introduced them to my step-mom who lived there. Will and I both shared a love of music and coffee; he could brew a damn fine cup of coffee. I was more into mainstream music, he was into a lot of Canadian folk. He introduced me to Stan Rogers. I was always in awe of his intelligence but he never - NEVER - talked down to me. His knowledge of Canadian history helped me get to know my adopted country. William Coleman was one of the good ones.
Virginia (Acheson) MacLatchy
April 15, 2023
Bill and I met in our first year at Carleton. He noticed me coming around the corner in one of the tunnels and later observed me sleeping in the library- something he never did! One day, I found a note of concern written in French, hoping that I was just tired and not sick.
After we finally met in person, he regaled me with tales of his home province of BC, proudly showed me his can of fresh BC air and tried hard to convince me of the authenticity of the Ogopogo.
I was in awe of his brilliant mind, breadth and depth of knowledge and wisdom well beyond his years. He was the hardest working, most disciplined person I ever met. We had many deep discussions exploring our values and beliefs and every topic under the sun, often on the bank of the Rideau River. I was particularly drawn to his intense, sensitive soul, compassionate and kind heart, self-deprecating sense of humour and wonderful sense of wit. He was my chief cheerleader, encouraging me and celebrating my academic successes and resorting to prayer when that seemed to be the only way I would pass Math 101. He nudged me into doing volunteer work with underprivileged children which helped both them and me.
When I was worried about going to Teachers´ College and how I would handle the children, he asked his teacher mother to write to me with encouragement.
He always had time for my little brother who was about the same age as his youngest brother at home. I couldn´t understand why my brother raced me to the door ever time Bill came until I noticed that my brother usually had a new package of Wrigley´s gum after Bill left. My brother remembers Bill fondly as being very smart and a great guy who taught him how to do a 2D puzzle by looking at it from a 3D perspective.
I was shocked and heart-broken to learn of his passing.
My condolences to his family and friends on the loss of an exceptional and beautiful human being.
Christine Chiasson
April 15, 2023
I was deeply saddened to learn of Will's passing. He was my doctoral supervisor. As such, he has shown a great deal of generosity and support throughout that journey. He was brilliant, kind, and he genuinely cared about his students. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to know him. I offer my most sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Tim A. Mau
April 2, 2023
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Will's passing last week. Our paths had not crossed in many years, but his influence on my academic career was indelible. He taught me one MA class as part of the Guelph-McMaster Collaborative MA in Public Policy and Administration and I must say that I was in awe of his keen intellect.
I really did not get to know him all that well in that one graduate class, so it was with some trepidation that (on the advice of one of my former Guelph professors) I approached him after the first semester of my doctoral program at Oxford University. I was floundering without a topic or supervisor. I reached out to Will because I was hoping to undertake a comparative investigation of the minority nationalist movement in Quebec (a topic that he knew well), but my original idea to study the Estonian/Baltic nationalist movements alongside Quebec did not resonate with my advisor. Not only was Will gracious with his time and insight to help me formulate a new topic (I ended up comparing the Quebec and Scottish nationalist movements), but he was in-all-but-name my de facto supervisor as I completed my degree in the UK. His guidance and support was invaluable to me over that five-year period, reading and commenting on every chapter, but, more importantly, providing me with the necessary affirmation that my research was worthwhile and the confidence to complete my degree.
Then, after the completion of my degree, in what was a very difficult era for finding an academic job, Will hired me to work with him on a follow-up study on French-English relations in business interest associations that had been done in the late 1960s for the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. As part of that collaboration, we produce one government report, my first refereed journal article and a chapter in an edited book. These outputs were absolutely critical for me in terms of trying to find a tenure-track teaching position, which I ultimately did at the University of Guelph. Without his incredible kindness, support and generosity, I never would have completed my doctorate or secured a tenure-track teaching position. I am forever indebted to Will for taking me under his wing and mentoring me.
Will has left us far too soon. He was a brilliant man, reaching the highest pinnacle of academic achievement, and yet he found the time to nurture and support students like me so that we could excel on our own academic journeys. It was truly remarkable that a scholar of his stature would be so giving of his time to students--even one like me who was not formally under his supervision!-- and, in my own interactions with students and emerging scholars, I endeavour to replicate his generosity of spirit.
My thoughts are with all of Will's immediate and extended family at this difficult time.
Professor Tim A. Mau
University of Guelph
Mike Underhill
April 2, 2023
I met Will when we were graduate students at the University of Chicago. Will approached his life with seriousness and joy, always eager to go deeper. His intellect was overwhelming. But above all his ability to love and care for others made him stand out. He will be greatly missed by countless friends and colleagues around the world. Rest in peace, dear one; rest in peace.
Mardie Panabaker
April 2, 2023
Your son Matt and his life and family choices epitomize the sharing and caring that you exemplified.
What a legacy.
Michael Roche
April 1, 2023
I had the privilege and pleasure of having Dr. Coleman as a professor during my undergraduate studies (1977 - 1981) and as my thesis advisor (1992 - 1994). He was an excellent professor who I remember as passionate about his work and always had time for his students. Very saddened to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Andrew Overholt
March 31, 2023
Dr. Coleman is my good friend, Jesse´s, dad. I was lucky to have the opportunity over the years to see Will and chat and he always made a point of asking me about something we´d previously discussed. He always had a big smile and I know he made a positive impact on all those around him. My deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time. Sending my love, Andrew
Marsha Duncan
March 31, 2023
Dr. Coleman was a wonderful professor and mentor when I was a student. I will be forever grateful for his help and kindness with my studies. He was a genuine down-to-earth person with an incredible academic mind and thoughtful spirit. Thank you, Dr. Coleman. You will be remembered fondly and missed by many.
Dave Turner
March 31, 2023
My favourite Professor from my days at McMaster. I am sad to hear of his passing.
Alice Hwang
March 31, 2023
I have fond memories of Will and miss his loving presence. His smile made me smile from the inside out. His kind and gentle heart, desire to lend a helping hand to those who needed it and compassion for others are some of the special memories I have of him, as well as seeing his enjoyment of music, dancing and always being involved with others.
Darrell Doxtdator
March 31, 2023
I remember Prof Coleman as a soft spoken gentleman. He cycled to MAC parking his bike in his office. As a professor, he would encourage his students to explore rather than merely memorize.
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