William Samuel James McKee

MCKEE, William Samuel James….Bill passed away after a brief illness in the arms of his wife and high school sweetheart Alice (Deeley), their much loved granddaughter Annie by their side. Bill would have celebrated his 87th birthday on December 20th. Dear father of William F. McKee and Mary Anne Chamberlaine and her partner Don Chamberlaine all of London. Dear brother of Robert McKee of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Also loved by his grandchildren Kerri, Anne Marie “Annie”, Ian and Sean (1973) and by 11 great-grandchildren Victoria, Savanna, Tristian, Ciera, Cameron, Ethan, Kaitlyn, Nicolas, Emily, Brandon and Mikayla. Predeceased by his sister Margaret Stock, his brother John McKee and his brother-in-law Conrad Stock. Bill served in the R.C.A.F. during WWII. His plane was shot down and crashed near the small village of St. Hippolyte, in Alsace Lorraine. The pilot Jimmy Watson was killed in the crash. The rest of the crew managed to evacuate the aircraft, and Bill was able to evade the Gestapo for three days and nights. He was eventually captured and taken P.O.W. Bill and Alice returned to St. Hippolyte in recent years. When he returned to civilian life he went to work for Bell Canada where he served for 41 years. Bill and Alice were blessed with 68 years of happiness together as well as the joy of loving, and being loved by two children, three grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 from 3:00pm – 4:00pm (1 hour prior) at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, where the memorial service will be conducted in the chapel at 4:00pm. Private family interment at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Forward House of London, 111 Waterloo Street, Suite 402, London, Ontario, N6B 2M4. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com.