It’s with great sadness that the family of Bill Brewer announces Bill’s sudden passing on Monday, February 13th, 2023 at the age of 74. Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest passion was spending time with his family. He leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, Barbara (nee Phillips) as well as his children Sheri (Jeff) and Kevin (Gina) and his five grandchildren; Kayleigh, Brooke, Brayden, Cali, and Alyssa. Bill was predeceased by his parents Reginald and Violet and will be dearly missed by his brother Gary and a large group of extended family and friends.
Born on 8 November, 1948, Bill joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the young age of 16 and attended both the Collège Militaire Royale de St-Jean and the Royal Military College in Kingston. After graduation from the Royal Military College in 1970, he held many leadership and command appointments and enjoyed postings to Lahr (Germany), Shrivenham (England), Base Borden, and National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He was awarded the Order of Military Merit in 1996 and officially retired from the Canadian Armed Forces as a Brigadier-General in 2002.
Shortly after leaving the Canadian Armed Forces, Bill joined DEW Engineering and Development where he worked as Vice President Business Development until 2012. Following this, he volunteered in different capacities in support of the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical and Engineer (RCEME) Corps and was appointed as the RCEME Corps Colonel Commandant from 2016-2021. Bill cherished his time with the RCEME Corps and, even after stepping down as Colonel Commandant, continued to be very active with the RCEME Museum and RCEME Foundation. He was also very involved in the development of the Royal Military College Athletics Wall of Distinction.
All of Bill’s family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of Bill’s life at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre (280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa, ON) on Saturday, 4 March, 2023 commencing at 1pm in the Sacred Space. A reception will then follow at the Army Ottawa Officers Mess (149 Somerset St W., Ottawa, ON) at 3pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the RCEME Foundation, or a charity of your choosing.
Digital Guestbook
Gregory Vincent Licandro
Tara Shaw
To Kevin, Gina and the entire Brewer family, I send my deepest condolences.
Joe and Kathy Stewart
So very sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful, caring ,sincere man. We will miss him. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Yves Turgeon
I have enjoyed working with this great man and leader. He always remained calm in all situations and offered help whenever he can assist. Great individual with a big heart and full of great intentions. I will miss him very much as the Co-Chair to the RCEME Museum Committee. I would like to offer my most sincere condolences and sympathies to his wife Barbara, his family and all his friends. Sincerely, I will think of him as a great leader and a friend.
Mr. Yves Turgeon
Rocio Battisti and family.
Condolences to the Brewer family. Thinking of all of you during this very difficult time.
Steve and Deanna Irwin
To Barb and family we extend our sincerest condolences. We served together off and on for many decades and served quite some time together as Colonel Commandants. Bill was so full of enthusiasm and was a very caring person. We will miss him.
Ita McCabe watanabe
Please accept my deepest condolences on your devastating loss.
May your memories comfort you at this sad time.He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Bill Blondon
To Barbara and family. On behalf of the Blondon Family I wish to offer our deepest sympathies and condolences. We all go back to High School days and then I followed Bill in Mil Col. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Respectfully Bill
Beverley Ryan
My sincere condolences to all the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deb and Ken Beselt
We were so sad to hear of Bill’s sudden and unexpected passing. We have many great memories of shared families adventures in both Germany and Ottawa. Our sincere condolences go out to Barb, Sheri, Kevin and their families.
I have many warm memories of Bill from the birthday parties we attended for my nieces (his granddaughters). For instance, he was always gracious when we teased him about his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. And even on serious topics such as politics he would share his views with a light touch. Which made sense as Bill didn't have to raise his voice or resort to histrionics to get his point across. One example that shows what people thought of Bill was when I went to get my tuxedo fitted for his son Kevin's wedding to my sister Gina. The tailor told me that he was impressed earlier that morning with the "General". He said that Bill was charismatic, down-to-earth and such a class act.....I couldn't agree more.