JANUARY 13, 1933 – FEBRUARY 7, 2022
Born on Friday, the 13th day of the 13th month in 1933 in Galt, Ontario.
Parents; Herbert (Bert) Coleman (b. Galt, Ontario 1898; d. Cambridge, Ontario 1984), and Jennie (Jen) Coleman (nee McBride) (b. Galt, Ontario 1900; d. Cambridge, Ontario 1982).
Bill was the owner of William Coleman Craft Ltd. Starting out in 1957, Bill experimented with a new product called fiberglass. First it was industrial guards for machinery, golf cart and milk truck bodies, then ventured into runabout boats, hard tops on MG's, customized goalie masks and hockey sticks and finally canoes. The lake bottom design, which provided stability, became well known in the canoe world. His canoes glided through many waters around the world. If you owned a 'Coleman Craft canoe', you knew you had a canoe for life! Two of his canoes are on display at The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario. He also tinkered with designing and building cars-one was featured on the Johnnie Walters Show on CKCO-TV back in the '70's.
Bill was married to Reta (Silver) Coleman (predeceased November 15, 2021) for 66 years. He was the only child of Jen and Bert Coleman. He is survived by his children; Debbie (Gary) Baverstock, Cathy Gergely, David Coleman and Doug Coleman, grandchildren Richard (Tristan) Baverstock, Elizabeth (Jory) Breen, Michael Gergely and Jordan Martin, and great grandchildren Clark, Nicole and Maverick Baverstock and Abby Gergely. Also survived by cousins Mary (Bill) Laight and Robert Coleman.
A private family funeral service will be conducted at the T. Little Funeral Home for Bill and Reta by Pastor Ernest Kennedy on Friday, February 11th at 1:00 pm. All are invited to join the family as the lives of this wonderful couple are celebrated via livestream by visiting the funeral home website. Interment will be at Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge. As expressions of sympathy donations to the Cambridge Humane Society are greatly appreciated. Messages and condolences for the family can be shared at www.tlittlefuneralhome.com
