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William Elliott Obituary
William Stoddard "Wild Bill" Elliott, husband of the late Doris Jean "Flicka" Elliott, shuffled off this mortal coil January 20, 2017, just a month short of his 99th birthday. Bill was born in Copper Cliff, Ontario, raised in Parry Sound and eventually Elmer Avenue in the Beaches in Toronto. As a young man, he worked for the TRANE Company. When World War II broke out, he enlisted with the RCAF. His basic training was in Clinton, Ontario, close to his beloved "Bayfield cousins". He was sent abroad as a labourer and driver. He helped build an airfield in the Azores and later served in Scotland where he met his wife, Flicka. Post-war, he studied for and earned his Bachelor's of English from the University of Toronto and began his career as a teacher. He is best known for his formidable knowledge of English Literature - from Shakespeare to Wilder and everything in between, his strong technical understanding of how the English language worked and his flair for taking kids and moulding them into actors that could elicit laughter and tears from rapt audiences. He was also known for his world-renowned collection of hands. He had in his collection hands made from every conceivable material. There was one short film, at least two TV news spots and countless newspaper articles about him and his collection. He was tireless in his care of the lawns on his property. Over the years, 1811 house went from ploughed field to horticultural showcase. Bill and his dry wit will be sorely missed by his kids and their spouses: Jen and Richard Mirosolin, Bill and Gayle Elliott, Steve Elliott, James and Diana Elliott, Tim and Janine Elliott; his grandkids: Sarah, Jenna, Erin, Luke, Katie and Andy Elliott, Tegan Hutz and Darren Hutz (deceased); and his great-granddaughter Nevaeh Goddard-Elliott. He will also be missed by all the dear friends and former students whose lives he touched. Condolences may be sent via email to
[email protected]
There will be a celebration of his life on April 29th at the Aurora Legion, 105 Industrial Pkwy. N., Aurora, ON L4G 3H1, from 2 to 4 p.m. Good night, Sweet Prince.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Elliott
10 Entries
Sibylle Artz
July 9, 2023
Dear Elliot Family, as with your dear Mother, Flicka, I remember your wonderful father Bill with great affection. He too left his mark on my childhood heart and mind. Thank you for being there.
Ernest Nachtigall
April 17, 2017
Best teacher I ever had, even when he called us "silly baskets". I'm pretty sure he said baskets or did my ears deceive me ;-)
Dave Stephens
February 19, 2017
I've been privileged to have been taught by many excellent teachers and professors over the years, but none had such a positive influence as Bill Elliott. He was my English teacher for four of my five years at Newmarket High School. Towards the end of Grade 11, he told me that we might need a break from each other -- so I magically ended up in another class for Grade 12. But it was back to his class for Hamlet in Grade 13. Shakespeare and the proper use of the English language aside -- and that's not to be dismissed -- being involved in three of his musicals was the highlight of my high school career. My heartfelt condolences to his family -- he was a gifted and giving man.
Ken Cassavoy
February 3, 2017
Mr. Elliott was a teacher with a real sense of humour, hard to find in High School, at least in my experience. I was a lousy student but he treated me fairly and, on at least one occasion, with unexpected understanding and sensitivity. It was much appreciated. We asked him often to tell us about his WWII experiences but the only thing he ever shared with us was that the toilet paper in the U.K. in those days "felt like sandpaper."
Thanks and Goodbye "Wild Bill".
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Francis Lewis
January 31, 2017
Mr. Elliott - thank you for shaking up a standard "who cares" 17 year old with your example that it is OK to love literature. Sixty-one years later that permission is still strong!
Laurie Denham
January 30, 2017
I loved my classes with Mr. Elliott. He instilled in me a love of theatre and reading. I remember him with great fondness.
Paul Denham
January 29, 2017
Bill was an important influence on me at a decisive moment in my life, pushing me to go to university at a time when I wasn't committed to anything much. And he showed me something of the richness of English literature, creating a kind of excitement about it that I have never lost. He changed my life. I am in his debt always.
Dennis Watson
January 28, 2017
At 17 I couldn't stand him,at 27 I realized he was the best teacher I ever had. His "life is pain" class was his attempt to help us prepare for the real world that awaited us after high school. RIP and I hope the afterlife is pain free!
Roxanna Ziolkowska
January 28, 2017
Mr -"Wild Bill" - Elliott, the most inspiring teacher any young person - any PERSON - could have - I have thought of him so often. I have tried occasionally to get in touch and regret that I failed. I so wanted to let him know how long his reach was. Decades after I graduated, I thought of him, talked of him, applied his teaching to my teaching of my children. He also featured in a short story I wrote about growing up, loss of innocence and the meaning of life... He was an extraordinary man - my condolences to his family. You must feel his loss deeply. Be comforted by the knowledge that your father was a great man and will live on in you and your children forever.
Andy Wainwright
January 28, 2017
Bill had a powerful influence on my choice to study English at university and to become an English professor subsequently. He was a remarkable teacher of my grade 13 class in 1964, demanding and generous at the same time, and a consummate reader of literature.
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