It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Bill. After a long hard battle with cancer, Bill passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Jessica’s House on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the age of 69. Beloved husband of Darlene (Knee) Van Bergen for 40 years. Cherished father of Jeremy, and Jeffery (Rebekah) Van Bergen. Proud grandpa of Zoee, and William. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Karen Adair, Diane and Garry Wein, Kat Van Bergen, Larry and Sharon Gibson, Nina Knee, and Wally Knee. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Predeceased by his mother Hendrika “Rita” McKenzie (2011), father Joseph McKenzie (1996), mother and father-in-law Violet (2006) and Percy (2018), and brother-in-law Perry Knee (2010).
Bill was a retired fire fighter for South Huron for 35 years. He loved to be at his happy place, the trailer, with late campfires, music, and many wonderful friends.
At Bill’s request, cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held at the Crediton Community Centre, 38 Victoria Avenue East, CREDITON on Sunday, October 6th from 1 – 4 PM.
Donations to Jessica’s House would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Mary-Ellen Ross
Loved and remembered always.
Your River Rat Friends,Richard and Doreen Moore
Our condolences to the “Van Bergen” family.We’ve had so many happy times with Bill and Darlene at the trailer,our “Highlander ” friends. Bill,known as “Billy-Bob” was a man of humour,the D.J. and music lover of site# 69, the pro popcorn maker over the campfire,our gardening expert,who shared his knowledge and many plants.A man with a big heart,kind words and always willing to lend a helping hand. Billy is gone from our sight,but not our memories. We will remember Bill with fondness and smile,when we see his many “Rose of Sharon” and “Canna Lily” plants flourish and bloom! You fought the good fight. God Bless Billy!
Steve and Paula Kadlecik
Darlene and family we are sorry to hear of Bill’s passing.
We met Bill and yourself at the trailer and knew he was one of a kind.
Caring and helpful. Always up for a fun time on the golf cart or a campfire.
He will be missed.
Jackie Reid
Darlene,boys and families, so sorry for your loss and thinking of you all at this difficult time. Bill was such a kind, easygoing man with a great sense of humour. While your lives will never be the same may good memories be a comfort now and in the future. Love Jackie Kent Reid
Joan Sararas
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing he was a great man!
Mundon and Glennis Reid
Darlene and family,
we are so sorry to hear of Bills passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorry. 🙏
Sara Theroux
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss :( Sending you all love and condolences during this difficult time <3
Donna Masse
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff and Family,
Wishing you peace and comfort during this challenging time. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Donna Masse & Jim Leveck and Family
Liz Campbell
Darlene & Family, Karen, Dianne and families
We are sorry to hear about Bill, thinking of you all.
Sending deepest sympathies
Liz Campbell (Giffin) & Ron Kennedy
John Gielen
My deepest condolences to Darlene and the family. I have so many fond memories of all the time we spent together on the fire department that will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my fellow firefighter you deserve it.
John and Kathy
Brent Wuerth
Darlene so sorry for your loss , thinking of you and your family. Bill was always fun to work with
Kim Mckay
Darlene, Jeremy and Jeff and family
I am so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I hope your happy memories help you through these very sad times! My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Mark Isaac
My deepest sympathies to all the family for your loss.
Dianne Faubert
We are so sorry for your loss. Bill was a good man. He will be missed by many. Your family is in the hearts of everyone. Our heart felt condolences.
Dianne Faubert and Daryl Tripp
Kay Tripp
Darlene and Family. Sad for your loss of Bill. Find comfort with each other and friends and hang onto all the good memories that will come later, my thoughts and prayers.
Kay Tripp
Chantelle Reid
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family.
Chantelle, Ray, Ava, Ian and Meredith
Cindy Beaver
So sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to the whole family.
Joan
Dobbie, and family’s
Don’t cry because I’m gone.
Smile brightly because I lived !
Hugs
Jordan&Sam Reid
Sorry for your loss, Bill will be with you forever and always remembered. We always enjoyed sitting around the table having a laugh with Bill, Darlene and Jeff.
Chris Skinner
Sorry to hear about your loss. He was a great man.
Joyce Maas
To Darlene & Family
My sincere condolences to you and your family for your loss. My prayers are with you.
George and Sue Wilson
Darlene and family, VanBergen and Knee families, we are sorry for your loss. Bill was friendly and had a great sense of humour. Have known Bill since Elementary School. Cherish your precious memories. Hugs and prayers.
Cathy Batten
Darlene and Family
I’m sorry to read that Bill has passed away. My condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. Treasure the memories that each of you have. Thinking of you all and sending hugs.
Cathy
Robert
Dear Darlene & Family: My deepest sympathies on the loss of your husband. You will be in my thoughts. I am so very sorry..
Robert Cuillerier
Bob and Martha Heywood
Darlene and Family:
Bill will be missed by many. I always enjoyed my chance meetings with Bill and his great sense of humor. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Julie Grimminck
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff & Family,
Sending our condolences and prayers to you. May you be comforted by the love and support from those around you and find peace in the coming days.
Julie, Gracie, Penny & Makayla
Shawn Lee
Our condolences to the family.
Brent Armstrong
Sincere Condolences to Bill’s family
He was a great person, and I will never forget him.
RIP Willy
Matt Iredale
I was deeply saddened to hear about Bill’s passing. He was a great person and treated me very well when I visited the house in Centrailia. My condolences to Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff and the entire family. May he rest in peace.
Dave Broom
My condolences to Darlene and families.
RIP Bill
Dave
Alice Masse
To Bill’s Family
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing I worked with Bill for many years at the coach
RIP Bill
Linda. LindaParker
Darlene, I so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing sending my condolences to you and your family.
Jeff& Teresa Young
Sorry to hear of your loss He will be missed by all who knew him
Jim Dietrch
Our sincere sympathy to all the family.
Jim & Linda Dietrich
Karen Insley Windsor and boys
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff, Karen and family . Our deepest sympathy to you all . Bill was a special man and touched the hearts of all he met. May your memories bring you comfort at this difficult time.
Ron Bowers
Sorry to hear about Bills passing. Condolences to the family. Worked with Bill for a lot of years. Always was fun times.
Larry & Joanne Glavin
Darlene & Family
So sorry to hear of Bills passing. He will be greatly missed.
Always on the go, doing something. Thinking of you all.
Clare & Brenda (Parsons) Martene & Family
Dear: Darlene, Jeremy, Jeffery (Rebekah), Zoee, William, Van Bergen / Knee Families . . .
❤️ “Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.” ❤️
There are no words to express how truly sorry we are for the heartbreaking loss of Bill. 💔 His obituary is a beautiful tribute to the wonderful & much-loved man he will forever be remembered as. Thinking of you during this very immensely sad time. May the wonderful memories you made together as a family help you through the difficult days ahead & know that his legacy will live on in all of you. . .
Bill touched the lives of so many, including ours, leaving a profound impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His life’s journey leaves a legacy of love, joy, kindness, generosity, laughter, humour, & cherished memories that will forever be treasured by those who were fortunate enough to have him in their lives. Please know that we care & share in your sadness. May you find strength & comfort in the love of family & in the warm embrace of friends. Though he may be gone from our sight, his spirit will continue to live on . . . may he forever rest in peace 💙
❤️ “Don’t cry because I’m gone; Smile brightly because I lived” ❤️
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all as you mourn & celebrate the incredible life of your beloved Bill – God Bless You❤️🙏🏻❤️
💞 Love, Clare & Brenda (Parsons) Martene & Family 💞
Drew Dalgleish and Janet Mathers
Our sincerest condolences Darlene. Bill was a wonderful asset to the whole community. He will be missed
Darlene Porter
Deepest sympathy to the family of Bill in your loss. Thank you for his service as fireman .
May the memories be a blessing of an elementary school friend.
piet
R.i.p Piet Zoutman.
Your familie from Holland
Carol & Kevin Windsor and family
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff and family
So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Seems like only yesterday we were sitting in Stephen Arena as proud parents, cheering on the boys in their black & white Stephen jerseys. Time goes way too fast! Enjoy the memories of a life well-lived and he will always be close to cheer you on. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Kathie glover
We are so so sorry ,his memory will never be gone ,always a smile when we think of Billy hugs everybody xo
Ed and Jean Frayne
Hugs and prayers sent to you Darlene and family. The few times we were around Bill he sure did make us laugh. We are thinking of you’s through this difficult time. Ed and Jean Frayne
Skweeze & Dianne Gaiser
So sorry to hear of Bills passing. “Captain Woody” was a great friend and mentor when I served on the Fire Dept. with him for 23 years. Always had a smile and a smart remark. Rest easy buddy. You will be missed.
Tom and Phyllis Tomes
Darlene and families – our deepest condolences on your loss. We had contact with Bill many times through your family and at the fire department. He was a friendly fellow and always had a smile for you. He was a good person.
Lucan Irish Six
Sending our sincere condolences to your family.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Bill and Laura Noonan
Our hearts and thoughts and deepest condolences from all of us to Darlene , Jeremy , Jeff and entire Family . R.I.P Bill
Chuck & Pam Ross
Darlene and Family,
We were so sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
June E Morenz
Nina, you have my sincere condolences. Now Percy will have another person to tell his stories to!
Randy Mathers
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff and families. So sorry for your loss. Bill was a great guy.
Dan Heywood
Our Condolences to Darlene and the family. We know he fought a good fight. May he RIP. Belinda and Dan
Donna &Jody Mosurinjohn
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff and family, sending your our deepest condolences..Bill fought a hard battle but is now pain free and able to watch over his family…Keep his memory close in your hearts.
Debra F Tilley
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff, Rebecca, Zoee and William: Words cannot express all the feelings and emotions going through you all at this sad time. Know in your hearts he is always with you, cherish all your loving, happy , funny memories close. He was a lover of the outdoors, always outside puttering or sitting at the fire pit. Please know we are thinking of you at this time, we know he fought a hard battle.
Hugs
Deb and Ken Tilley
Carole Preece
Dear Darlene and family,
Sending sincere condolences and much love to you.
Bill was one of a kind and I know how much he will be missed.
I have many fond memories of earlier years. I know how much he will be missed.
Love to you all
Carole
Bonnie Swarthout
Darlene and Family
I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing…
Sending love and support as you and
your family navigate through this difficult time.
Bonnie Swarthout
Bonnie Ziler
Darlene ,Sharon, Nina, Wally and families
Very sorry to hear about Bills passing and his struggle this pass year. Condolences to everyone.
Thinking of you all at this time.
Take care
Bonnie Ziler
Ray and Judy Mills
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeffery, Rebekah & the rest of the family,
Please accept our sincerest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you through this long journey. Bill is at peace now and his memories will live on for the years to come. May you find comfort and peace in your memories and with family and friends who knew him well. God Bless.
Mark&Judy Cronyn
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff and families. We are so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He put up a good fight.
Our deepest condolences go out to all of you at this sad time. Hold onto all your wonderful memories to help you move forward. we have lots of memories from back in the day.
Rest in Peace Bill.
Hugs! Mark, Judy and family
Cynthia and Eric Fancey and Shirley Osborne
Sending our sincere condolences to Darlene and family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Carol Coleman
Dear Darlene & families,
It seems like we just saw each other…so sorry to read of Bill passing.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences at this sorrowful time.
Carol (Ross) Coleman
Cathy Fuller
My deepest condolences to you all. Bill was a great man and will be missed. Thinking of you
Marlene Moore
Dear Darlene and all the Family ,
My deepest sympathy and prayers at this sad time.
Cherish the good memories. Bill was a great guy !
I will remember the talks we shared .
Your Centralia Friend Marlene
Kathy Kirk
Darlene and family, Sorry for your loss..
Family Zoutman
Our condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you and family in this difficult time.
Hugs.
Rosann Pritchard
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeffrey, Rebekah
Sorry for the passing of Bill.
Thinking of yous.
Rosann Pritchard
Judy Morgan
Darlene and family
We are so very sorry for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. May all of your cherished memories bring you comfort at this sad time.
Ralph &Heather Wells
Sorry to hear of your families loss , hold tight to your memories . I good neighbour and fellow volunteer fireman
Natalie Lockie Mason
I’m so very sorry for your loss
Brent
Darlene. We are so sorry for your loss. In the short time we have been neighbours Bill was a joy n pleasure n will be missed.
Mel and Kathy Winger
Sorry to hear of Bill,s passing, our condolences to the family
Doug&Nireen Smuth& family
Darlene,Jeremy , Jeff and family
May your fondest memories get you through this tough time and hard loss of Bill
He fought the hardest fight for his family so he could continue memories for when he left this world. May he rest in the sweetest peace gone but will never be forgotten
Harvey Walters
Darlene and family
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, my deepest condolences. His memory forever etched in your hearts, never to be forgotten. He is at peace now
Harvey Walters
Jim Oesch
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing , my condolences Darlene and families .
TARALYN KOEBEL
To your whole family my deepest sympathies go out to you. My condolences
Mike Higgins
My heart goes out to all of Bill’s family! I have many great memories of playing hockey with Bill in the “Old Exeter Arena”. We had so much fun. You are in my thoughts and prayers, please remember the good times! RIP my friend!
Glenda Lather
My sincere condolences to Darlene and all of the family.
Alex Westman
My sincere condolences to Darlene and family .
Evelyn Vincent
My condolences to all who knew and loved Bill.
May the good memories help bring peace and comfort
Gabbie and Margaret Mol
Our sincere condolences with Bill.s passing
Rob and Michelle
Darlene, Jeremy and Jeff and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time.
Bill will be missed but never forgotten. 🙏😞❤️🩹
Bob & Elaine England
So sorry for your loss. Lots of memories of his younger day. Bill was Bob’s best man when we were married, to all Bills family thoughts and prayers
Glenna Seguin
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing Darlene. Condolences to you and the boys and their families. May Bill RIP, disease and pain free , he will always be watching over you. Your wonderful memories will warm your hearts and help you through this difficult time.
Bill & Joanne Hodge
So sorry to hear about Bill.He fought a long battle.Our thoughts are with you at this sad time
Bob Harris
Our sympathies go to Darlene,Jeremy, Jeff and families at this difficult time of losing a wonderful man. Billy was such a true friend and a comedian. We will miss his “ NO NO NO” sitting around the fire pit. We had a lot of laughs and good times with him. Bob Harris and Mary McDonald
Kim Tinning
Sending my sincere condolences to Darlene and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was a awesome caring person he sure will be missed. ❤️🙏🙏🙏
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
To Darlene and family
So sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. I believe he enjoyed work, fire fighting and camping.
Our condolences to all
Cindy and Ken
So so sorry Darlene and boys. We love you and your family so much. Miss seeing you guys every day. He was an amazing man and that doesn’t describe any where’s near the remarkable person he was. So kind, caring and helpful in everyway he could be. Bill will be missed so unbelievably. Take care my friend
Love from Ken and Cindy ❤️
Saugeen Cedars Family
From the moment you bought your trailer, we knew it was going to be a special place. Bill puttered constantly making it the beautiful spot it became.
Bill touched so many people here with his sense of humour and positive attitude.
He is going to be missed by every life he touched. Rest easy Bill, you deserve it.
Kristy and Dave Ballah
Darlene and Family:
Dave and I send our deepest condolences to you all. Bill was a good friend and always there to help us with our trailer..he was never too busy to help..we will miss sitting by the campfires and enjoying each others company. We will never forget our golf cart parade ( the hippie mobile )
We will miss Bill
Raymond Trafford
Very sorry for our loss, Bill was a great man, touched many lives.
Jessica
Sending love to the rest of the family in this hard time, Rest in peace uncle Bill🤍
Randy and Carolyn Tedmond
Darlene Karen Dianne and families. We are so sorry to hear of Bulls passing. Our deepest condolences.
Wayne and Sonia Greb
Darlene and family
Sending our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time for you I am sure. Keeping
all your fun times and memories in your heart forever.
Don and Carol Stuckless
Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff and Family We were so sadden to hear about Bill’s passing.. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all at this very difficult time. Thinking of you, Hugs Donny and Carol
Jacklyn Ferris
Ahhhhhh Darlene my heart breaks for you and your boys Bill was one of a kind you were soul mates may he R I.P. hugzzzzzz
Sharon McLeod
Darlene, Jeremy and Jeff sorry to hear of Bill’s passing.Thinking of yours at this difficult time.Sending our condolences. Sharon&Nick McLeod.
Jeremy Becker
Sincere Condolences to Darlene, Jeremy, Jeff & Family. Bill was one of a kind and will be missed by everyone at our Fire Stations and Arenas.