William J. DRAPER

May 28, 1933 - November 13, 2024

Draper, William J, Commodore, RCN (ret'd). Father, husband, son, brother, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather and dearly loved, Bill slipped away from us all Wednesday Nov 13, 2024, in Victoria BC, in his ninety-second year.
Born in Toronto in 1933 and moving to Owen Sound, Bill, the son of Harold and Gladys Draper (Eby), was the eldest of seven children. From his childhood Bill often shared fond memories of spending time on his grandparents' farm in Southampton, and of his dear sisters and brother. In his late teens Bill played hockey competitively at a high level in the Maple Leaf's organization. He loved drawing and painting and was a skilled artist. After high school, Bill joined the navy and headed off to Royal Roads, a place that would remain dear to him for the rest of his life. It was the place that launched an extraordinary 35-year career, where he graduated as top cadet awarded the ceremonial sword, and where he met his bride-to-be Kathleen (Kathy) Pember, formerly a student at UBC. He would return to Royal Roads near the end of his career as Commandant.
Bill and Kathy had three children, Deborah the eldest (Murray Metherall), Paula (Drew Taylor), and Linda (Reza Yazdani). Bill's career had the family moving coast to coast a couple of times and around the world to Ottawa, to London, to Moscow, and to Washington D.C. for his last posting as naval attaché to the Canadian Embassy, similar to his role in the Soviet Union and Finland.
Bill's navy family got used to him being at sea for weeks and months through his career, culminating with him being commanding officer of HMCS Ottawa before leading Training Command on the West Coast. The three girls growing up would worry that their misdemeanors would be reported by their mother on their father's return from sea - but they never were.
As a flag officer Bill played an advisory role in construction of the Halifax class frigates with Irving Shipbuilding.
Bill and Kathy retired to Victoria. Kathy died in 1995 and Bill later remarried to Susan (Grace). Bill passed the rest of his life in Victoria, where he enjoyed participating with Grace in environmental issues and social causes.
Bill leaves behind six grandchildren, Sarah (Graham Caswell) and William (Taylor Stokal) Metherall; Vanessa (Peter) Nasrallah; Ethan, Eli (Danielle) and Pete Yazdani; and five great-grandchildren Sybil, Teddy, Hudson, Max, and Izzy. Bill is predeceased by his grandson Alex Taylor who died in 2013, aged 23.
On Grace's side Bill is survived by her children Alison Leckie, Carolyn Pacheco, and Bri MacBain; and her grandchildren Juliette, Kirby, Sofia, and Hunter.
To Bill - luckily for all of us - family was everything. He not only played a leadership role in his career, but in his family helped his brother and sisters growing up and has been a steady anchor for us.
Bill was loved by many and respected by all who knew him. We pay homage and are grateful.

"Forever on watch"

"For my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset
And the baths
Of all the western stars
Until I die."

(Messages of condolence c/o
taylor.paula@bellaliant.net)

(Donations in support of Hatley Park Gardens, Royal Roads, www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/60993)