We are saddened by the passing of William Earl Morton on the 12th of September 2025 after complications resulting from a stem cell transplant that took him before his time.
Bill, the son of Francis and Florence Morton, was born on February 22, 1948, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Accompanied by his sister Sally, they spent their adolescence across northern Ontario, relocating to where their father's work would take them. Always seeking adventure, Bill joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1966 and boarded a train to Royal Roads University in Victoria. After completing his studies at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, as a member of the class of 1970, Bill became a member of the military engineers MILE
His military career included postings across Canada, Germany, Italy, England, and peacekeeping tours in Bosnia and Croatia, and NATO headquarters in Belgium, retiring in 2003.
With an inability to sit still and a relentless desire to stay busy, Bill continued to work post-retirement as a civil engineer until 2024. During his post-retirement career, he took on notable projects such as his work in Afghanistan to assist in the construction of Camp Julien, the modernization of an 18th century French prison in Haiti and worked in Monrovia, Liberia, Mali and West Darfur, Sudan.
When not at work, Bill enjoyed spending his time improving the family cottage, travelling with friends and enjoying time with family.
Bill is survived by his wife Rosemary, his sons David (Sarah) and Michael (Victoria) and his grandchildren Emily, Alisha, Nicole, Pepper and Darcy.
Livre de visiteurs
Bob and Lynn Starchuk
Ab and Elaine Nairn
Sincere sympathy to Rosemary and Family. We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. We are thinking of you. Cousin Ab and Elaine Nairn
Sue and Roger Colebrook
Bill was a great friend for over 40 years. We first met when he was on the staff college course in England and although the Pond separated us we remained good friends us visiting Canada and Bill and Rosemary England. He was one of life’s great guys, a super handyman and a brilliant political analyst and war historian. Our thoughts are with Rosemary, David, Mike and their families. We’ll miss his emails full of analysis. Rest in peace.
Ernie Fafard
Bill was a colleague, a comrade, a mentor and a friend. He was a fine officer and an even better person. He will be sorely missed.
Sharon and Al Hlady
Bill and Rosemary led an interesting life - stopping in various places in the world with their boys. You have left a legacy of many fine memories, Bill.
Frances Fahner
bill. You led an interesting and traveled life. There are many good memories for Rosemary and Boys
I will be thinking of you on Oct 10 and beyond.
I guess I am the senior cousin.
Rest in peace.
BGen (Retd) Fred Lewis
In 1981, Bill was my first Commanding Officer in 4 Combat Engineer Regiment and I was his most junior subaltern. He set a fine example as an officer and person, knew the tactics surrounding the engineer regiment in battle like few others, taught me that soldiering should be fun and introduced me to life in Europe. We last met in Kandahar Afghanistan and it could have been Germany all over. I will miss him, Chimo!
DAVID ANSON BURKE
I had the privilege of knowing Bill for more than four decades. He was a knowledgeable, dedicated and excellent Sapper officer. As noted, he could not sit still and was a hard-working professional. Bill will be missed. CHIMO!
John and Lorraine L’Abbe
We met Bill and Rosemary and family when we became their neighbors at 79 Chickasaw Crecent in 1989. I as an officer in the RCMP and Bill being an officer in the CAF had much in common a got along very well. Over the years we tackled several projects common to our properties and were always prepared to have chats over our experiences in the services. When Bill and Rosemary travelled we often looked after their home as did Bill when we travelled. I was shocked to hear of his passing and will remember him as a great neighbor and friend. We sold our home in 2023 so contact was sporadic over the last year or so. We will miss this fine gentleman.
Colin & Cathie Galigan
We had the pleasure of working with and getting to know Bill and Rosemary in Brussels. They were "good company". I had met Bill professionally around NDHQ on many occasions previously and had enormous respect for him.
We bid you farewell Mort. Rest peacefully old friend. You will always be loved, remembered, and definitely missed by Lynn and me. We will miss your engaging intelligent sense of humour, your tremendous knowledge on any subject, your analytical prowess, and your genuine friendliness. We will carry you with us, but life will not be the same without you. Our love to Rosemary, David and Mike and their families.
Bob and Lynn Starchuk