Peacefully on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at his home in Ottawa. Bill, son of John and Vera (Titus) Arthurs, was born on October 1, 1930, at Westport, Brier Island, Nova Scotia. Raised at South Bay, Saint John, New Brunswick, Bill first joined the Air Cadets, and then the RCAF as a fighter pilot flying Sabres and Starfighters.
In the 1950’s while serving at the Canadian NATO air force base at Gros Tenquin, France, he met his wife, Jeanette (Rigg). She was a schoolteacher on the base, and upon returning to Canada, they married on December 31, 1957.
A graduate of Sir George Williams University, Montreal, Bill continued to study things of interest to him. He knew most of what could be known about both ferns and orchids. He developed an authoritative database of the genealogy of the Titus family (his mother’s line) that extends back 400 years and contains almost 200,000 names. Never one to do anything superficially, he developed expertise in the application of DNA analysis to genealogy and discovered that he is related (by marriage) to John Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA.
After his first retirement, he began a second career as an Investment Advisor with Davidson Partners Ltd. in Ottawa. After exits, mergers and takeovers, Bill retired a second time, from Nesbitt Burns.
He will be remembered with love and respect by his son, David Arthurs (Erin Cassidy) and daughter, Sue Anderson (Brian), as well as his grandson, Peter Anderson. He is survived by his brother, Robert (Sandie Good) of Mount Hope. Predeceased in 2009 by brothers Allan of Grand Manan, NB, and Ralph of Saint John, NB.
Bill died three years to the day after his beloved wife, Jeanette. A reception will be held in honour of both Bill and Jeanette at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Thursday, April 6, 2023 from 13:00 to 15:00.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Care Ottawa (hospicecareottawa.ca) would be appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
Lynn Sim
Lindsay Fyfe
Dear David and Sue,
I am deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Thinking of you both.
Sandy and Lindsay Fyfe
Janet Luloff (nee Cunningham)
Dear Sue and David,
Deeply saddened to hear of your loss. As you know your dad's time in the RCAF and as an investment advisor was very intertwined with the lives of my parents, Pat and Marie Cunningham. I grew up hearing your father's name often mentioned with great respect as a fellow fighter pilot and much trusted financial advisor. I am grateful that I had an opportunity to see him again not long ago. May loving memories sustain you and give you comfort.
May all your wonderful memories live on in your hearts. Thinking of you.