Obituary of Bill Mullen

William (Bill) Mullen

Born December 28, 1920, died peacefully in his 99th year with family by his side on Sunday, June 16, 2019. Beloved husband of Ellise (November 22, 2018) for over 68 years, married June 3, 1950. Loving father of Janice (Dennis) Fawcett of High River, Alberta and Tim (Bernadette) Mullen of Comber.  Dear grandfather of Andrew and Nathan Fawcett and Grace Mullen.  Great-grandfather of the late Brody Fawcett (September 2012). Son of the late Michael and Anastasia Mullen. Predeceased by all his siblings, Alex, John (Magdalene), Nick (Edna) and Mary (Mike) Grona. Survived by many nieces and nephews. In his youth, Bill worked as a cowboy, roping and herding cattle on ranches mainly in Alberta. He returned to Essex County to work on the family farm.  As well, he worked as a fireman for the Essex Terminal Railway out of Windsor on Steam Engine #9 which has since been restored at the Railway Museum in Port Stanley. He later became a locomotive engineer when the railway transitioned to diesel engines and held that position until his retirement at 67 years of age. Bill also dabbled in politics when he was elected to the Village of Comber Council in the 1970’s. Bill organized and ran the horse & sheep shows at the Comber Fair for a few years and often competed in the walking plow event at the annual Essex County Plowing Match. Bill loved tending to his crops on the farm and happily raising horses, cows, sheep and chickens. He enjoyed spending time entertaining friends with his numerous stories and jokes. He was blessed with and enjoyed exceptional health to the end. Special thank you to Dr. Anderson and all the PSWs, especially Noriko and Bianca, for all their wonderful care in making it possible for Bill to comfortably live in his own home. Thank you also to the fourth floor nurses of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Hospital for all their compassion in the final leg of his journey. Visitation at Reaume Funeral Home Inc., 6 Canal St. W., Tilbury on Thursday June 20, 2019 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Friday June 21, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until time of  Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery Comber. Donation to the Visitation Parish Building Fund or charity of your choice would be appreciated. On line condolences may be shared at www.reaumefh.com.

“Old cowboys never die. They just ride off into the sunset after the last round-up.”