Obituary of Bill Rotz
William Charles Rotz
Septtember 6, 1929 – August 27, 2024
The adventure begins when William Charles or Bill or Billy, but mainly known as Bill was born the 3rd child of Ethel and Charles Ratz in Hamilton Ontario. Bill was the youngest having an older brother Bob and older sister Betty. The family lived in Dundas and Hamilton in various locations. Bill was always involved in sports and had a love for music. In sports he was a cheerleader for the football team and played basketball. Once even being on the church team that played against the Harlem Globetrotters for a charity event. Bill would often go to Bala or Sauble Beach on weekends to enjoy the local dancehalls and the famous Brant Inn in Burlington to see some of the greatest jazz and big bands in the world. Once he even went all the way to New York City to catch an ABL, before it became the NBA, game and hit the jazz clubs on 52 street.
Bill met Dorothy, the love of his life, in Hamilton, and married her Sept 20 1952. They had 3 children; Dave, Pat and Doug. He worked at various jobs mainly in sales and in the meat industry. This began career one.
The next adventure was moving his family all the way to St. Catharines to work with his older brother selling industrial supplies. Bill settled into the new city eventually coaching men’s softball for many years and playing hand ball at the “Y”. Summers often included family trips up north to various locations. Bill and Dorothy started to expand the travel scope to many places all around the world through parts of Europe, the Caribbean and Middle-East. Even taking in a camel ride at the great pyramids. Later trips were to Florida for March break with the family joining. Bill also enjoyed renting various cottages with the entire family to revisit his love of Ontario’s north. When selling industrial supplies came to an end Bill took a course in Real Estate which lasted a number of years. This was career two. Years later this too ended and Bill started his third career at 65 to work at Zehr’s until finally retiring at 90 years old.
Bill spent the last years at Tabor Manor and would enjoy telling tales of his travels and offering travel advise.
One would find it difficult to go anywhere in St. Catharines and not run into someone Bill knew. As much of an adventurer and traveler as Bill was, one would be hard pressed to call him a handyman.
Accomplishments and achievements:
- Voted president of Niagara Real Estate Board
- 75-year member of the YMCA
- 1st person to be added to plaque at Lancaster Park for sports contributions
- Zehr’s Bag Boy of the Year (citation needed)
Travel on Dad!
Please celebrate Billy's life with us on Saturday, August 31, 2024 with a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at his long-attended Church, St. Columba Anglican Church (7 St. Columba Drive, St. Catharines), followed by a reception on-site.
Memorial Donations in his name may be made to Tabor Manor's Radiant Care Foundation or the Heart & Stroke Foundation by using the Donations tab on his home page.
Please share a memory, photo or sentiment of his life here at his memorial legacy page.
Uniquely entrusted to eco Cremation & Burial Services Inc.
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