Peacefully, with his family by his side, on Thursday, August 17th 2023, William “Bill” Preston Maven, passed away at the age of 95. Bill was a beloved husband and dance partner of his wife Shirley (nee Wilcox) for 70 years. Loving father of Robbie (deceased), Cheryl and Basil Magee. Cherished friend of Joanne and Paul Myers, Joyce Magee and Arran MacLauchlan. Adored Grandpa of Shan and Kyle, Tyler and Rebecca, Haley and Matt, Abby and Brad, Mallory and Tim. Proud Great-Grandpa “Bill” to Sadie, Maisie, Frank and Isla.
Bill was a respected business owner and pharmacist of Leggett and Smith pharmacy in Bolton. Bill loved to travel with his wife Shirley, especially to Barbados, but his chair on the boathouse at Salmon Lake was his favourite place to be. Summers at the cottage together will always be cherished. Grandpa Bill was a proud sports fan and could often be spotted in the stands at Cheryl, Tyler or Maisie’s hockey games, a waterski competition, or Sadie’s swim practice. Bill valued education and was a lifelong learner. He taught all generations how to swim, how to play euchre and how to ballroom dance. Small in stature but his larger-than-life presence could always be felt. The boathouse will never be the same without him.
Private family service will be held at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen St. S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213).
Interment Nobleton Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Bethell Hospice Foundation, 15835 McLaughlin Road, Inglewood L7C 1H4 or William Osler Health System Foundation, directed to Palliative Care at Brampton Civic Hospital, 20 Lynch Street, Brampton L6W 2Z8.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Doug & Karen Witherspoon
Dear Cheryl, Basil and family, our deepest condolence. Bill was a wonderful, friendly man. He will be missed.
Connie Vanstone
Shirley and Family.
I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I remember well the days of Leggett & Smith Pharmacy. Bill and Bob were always so kind and helpful to every one . Shirley, I ran into Bill again in Wasaga Beach when I was helping the mail lady with flyers. He remembered me and we talked about the Bolton , Nobleton days and about the beautiful Christmas village you two always built.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Connie Vanstone.
June Heale(Wilcox)
Dear Shirley and family: I am so sorry for your loss, Have been there after losing my hubby of 54 years, 15 years ago. You two had a good long life together, and I am sure you will have wonderful memories to comfort you in the days ahead. Time helps us deal with these great losses, however we never stop missing them.
I wish as cousins we had got to know each other better, guess that was not meant to be, as once I was married to an RCAF man I had to move around a lot and ended up on the West Coast of Canada>
May you all feel the comfort that only our Lord can bestow in your days ahead, and let the tears flow, they help the healing.
I am in touch with Donald on Facebook and that is nice, all my family are gone now. May Bill rest in peace. Love from your cousin June.
Sharon savini
My condolences to you and the family. Cherish all the wonderful memories you have of your Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa.
Sharon Savini
Annie Cairns
Cheryl, Basil and family
Our condolences to you all, your Dad was an amazing gentleman, always friendly and helpful.
Marilyn And Steve Baker
Bill and his wife Shirley have been our dearest friends since the late 1950s. His children and grandchildren continue to be among our closest friends, a testament to their upbringing. We will miss him dearly but will always remember the fun and great memories he provided. We extend our deepest love and support to the entire family.
Marilyn and Steve Baker
Errol Munn
Shirley, Cheryl and family…What can I say ? To know Bill was to love Bill…from his VERY quick wit, to his ability to tell stories of his travels and business career to his warm smile… he was one of the best neighbors anyone could ask for. Always a welcome wave and a genuine interest in those around him, but nobody more prouder of his family than Bill. His interest in my front door plaque “Cardinals appear when Angels are near” will now hold another special meaning to me every time I pass it or see a Cardinal fly past. He will always be a part of this community that I call home. Shirley, I am just a few steps away and anytime you want to pickup where Bill left off, I welcome the chance to listen.
Cathy Van Ry
Jack and Cathy Van Ry and family
So sorry for your loss. We have known Bill and Shirley for many years. Bill was a wonderful person and we spent many hours enjoying their company as our family grew up. We knew him from the store and then from many wonderful memories at Salmon Lake. Our condolences to the family at this time.
Cathy McDowell
Dear Shirley, Cheryl , Basil and family, There are no words at times like this, at least not the kind that will magically make it better. Only time can do that—not make it better, but make it hurt a little less. Bill was a wonderful, kind man who made me feel I mattered in this world. We shared many stories about the store, about his favourite books, about life in general over the years at Leggett and Smith. He was the best boss I ever had. Some of my happiest memories are of gatherings he and Shirley had; you were like the family I never had but always wanted. Bill made the world a better, kinder and more interesting place to live in. I know he will live on in each and every one of you. What a glorious legacy he has left us!
Ron and Diane Brown
Dear Shirley, Cheryl, Basil and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss! Always a pleasure to be in Bill’s company. He was such a wonderful story teller and liked to find a common denominator. He was the life of the party and quite the charmer. Memories are the legacy of love. Definitely a blessing having known Bill. Our condolences to you all.
Cathy Lakicd
My deepest condolences to Shirley, Cheryl , Basil and the rest of the beautiful family ❤️
I didn’t know Sweet Bill (My Buddy) for very long … but he touched my heart the moment we met. I’ll never forget the sweet stories he told me of him and Shirley and the family memories. We sat on the porch ever morning and most of day ( he loved being outside sun or rain), we would listen to music and he would sing when a song was familiar to him swaying his hand back and forth just enjoying ❤️
Bill and Shirley are such a sweet couple who were truly blessed to have shared a lifetime of happiness .
He’s dancing in the stars as we speak..
He was a beautiful soul.
Rest in Peace Bill.
My thoughts and prayers are will you all.❤️
Gifford and Lesley Scott
Dear Shirley, Cheryl and Basil,
Lesley and I are deeply saddened with the news of Bills passing and offer our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Bill was a wonderful Man, having an incredible Family and had a successful long and productive life.
Wishing you find peace and comfort knowing his loss is felt by so many who knew and loved Bill.
Gifford and Lesley Scott and Family
Marta and Frank Svab
Dear Shirley and Cheryl,
Our hearts are filled with sadness since we heard of Bill’s passing. He was a kind, caring man with a perpetual smile and twinkle in his eyes. He had an undeniable passion for life. We will greatly miss him.
Please accept our condolences.
Marta, Frank, Lucza and Dalma
Wendy Noseworthy
Dear Shirley and Family,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and the family at this most difficult time.
I will miss Bill’s many hellos and smiles as I walked by with Misty (our dog).
Wendy & John
24 Leamster Trail
Angela Colangelo
Dear Cheryl, Bob and Family.
My sincere condolences of the passing of your Dad/Grandfather/friend.
Although I only met him a few times ( and how he loved my pontoon boat) I could see that he definitely had a love of family and cottage life. May he rest in peace
DAVID CATANIA
Dear Shirley, Cheryl and Basil
I always knew how good a relationship there was between you,Bill and my parents Leonard & Jeanne Marie Catania. One of my earliest memories was asking my mom at age 4 “Where do the Maven’s live”. My mom pointed to your house and said “There” I guess I wanted to play with Robbie. That was back in the days of living in Newmarket. That friendship carried on for ever as we had moved to Rexdale and you and Bill had moved to North of Nobleton. We still got together now and then over the years. Dad wanted to move up to where you lived in the country setting but it never materialized. I moved up near Hockley Valley and passed through Bolton daily going back and forth to work. I would stop now and then at the pharmacy to say Hi to Mr. Maven because I always liked to have a little chat with him. I was saddened when the pharmacy left the corner in Bolton. I saw Bills picture in the papers I picked up yesterday and knew it was him instantly. Beautiful memories of Bill & Shirley visiting with Mom & Dad with the families. So lucky to have know such wonderful neighbors and friends all the way back to the 50’s. Always in my thoughts….
Barb Goddard
Dear Cheryl, Basil and family
I just learned of the passing of your dad, Cheryl. What a full life he led and to the age of 95. Hope his passing was peaceful and take comfort in your memories. I was curious when it was mentioned about the cottage at Salmon Lake. My parents owned a cottage on Otter Lake which is on the same road James Bay Junction. My sisters and I have kept it and we just celebrated 50 years of their purchase. What a coincidence if after all this time, we could have visited up there. My email address is
barbgoddard8@gmail.com . Would love to hear from you.
Barb and Bob