William ”Bill” Thomas Webster

1935 – 2026

Bill’s beloved wife, Gael Webster (née Robinson), is very saddened to announce the death of her husband, William Thomas Webster, who passed away peacefully on October 22, 2026, at the age of 90. Gael  was at his side for 74 years, sharing a lifetime of love and devotion since they began dating at 16.

He will be lovingly remembered by his 3 children, Kimberly Webster (Tim Schrader), Kelly Webster (Tom Corbett) and Scott Webster (Cindy Webster), 12 grandchildren, Mischa Mackie (Chris), Daryl Turford, Jon Schlemmer, Jeffrey Turford (Alexandra Postans), Andrew Corbett, Mary Corbett, Michael Schlemmer (Lauren Spencer), Emily Lee (Jordan), Adam Corbett, Kyle Webster (Lorena), David Webster and Ashley Webster, 9 great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law Joan Johnson and nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his younger brother Jack, sister-in-law Huguette Webster, brother-in-law Glenn Johnson and his parents, John and Brenda (Downie) Webster.

Bill was born in Cochrane in Northern Ontario. His father worked in the railroad, often working far from home. Gael lived on a farm north of Cochrane and from these humble beginnings, they created a loving marriage of 68 years and a prosperous and happy life for their family.

Bill was a lifelong learner who could teach himself anything he needed or wanted to know. He left school at 16 to work as a box boy at the local Dominion store and at 19 was managing his first store in Cobalt. During his 17-year career with Dominion Grocery Stores the family moved to Timmins and Bill rose to the position of supervisor for its Northern Ontario stores. Always one to pursue new challenges, Bill left the grocery business to join his brother-in-law, Glenn Johnson, at Nor-Ed School Supplies in North Bay. When Harlequin Enterprises bought Nor-Ed and Jack Hood School Supplies, the family moved to Stratford, where Bill assumed the position of Marketing Manager for the company by then called Scholars Choice. In 1973, he became President of Scholars Choice and then in 1977, as Director of Special Projects for Harlequin Enterprises, Bill led its acquisition of Ideals Publishing in Milwaukee.

In 1978, Bill and Gael decided to acquire their own business, purchasing Educator Supplies Limited and moving to London, Ontario. Over the next several years they purchased other related businesses, including Edcom Multimedia Products, and then in 1982 they purchased Scholar’s Choice. The subsequent purchase of Moyers in 1998, made Scholar’s Choice the largest distributor of educational supplies to schools, teachers and parents in Canada. In 1998, Bill and Gael decided to transition into retirement and sold Scholar’s Choice to their son Scott and Cindy Webster who continue Scholar’s Choice to this day.

Bill was an early adopter of computer technology in the 1970s, making it a priority in all of their businesses, and continued this interest throughout his life. However, business was not Bill’s only passion. A focused and fierce competitor, Bill took up tennis in Stratford and played for the rest of his active life. In 2017, at the age of 81, he won the Ontario Doubles title and placed second nationally in the over-80 category. Family hockey games on the lake at the cottage with his children and grandchildren as well as late night card games were just as hard-fought.

Bill and Gael were avid travellers, visiting over 70 countries and giving Bill many opportunities to pursue his hobby of photography as he avidly recorded their adventures. Bill was the club photographer for the Stratford Pipe Band on trips to Stratfords in England, Connecticut, New Zealand and PEI, and recorded Rotary International conventions in South Korea, Scotland and the U.S. In retirement they continued to travel with trips to England and Europe with the London Museum and Embroiderers’ Guild group tours, as well as exotic destinations like Antarctica, Uzbekistan and safaris in Africa. Genuinely curious, Bill would strike up a conversation with anyone along the way reflecting his genuine interest in people and their stories.

This interest in people drove Bill’s devotion to community service throughout his life. He was a Kinsman, a Kapuskasing town councillor, and a longtime Rotarian, first in Stratford and then in London. He served as president of the Rotary Club in London North and as a Master and a Grand Lodge Officer in the Masonic Lodge. Bill was named 6 times as a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in appreciation of ”tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations between peoples of the world.”

Bill will be missed by many. The family would like to thank the staff of Elmwood Extendicare for their kindness and loving care of Bill over the past two years.

Memorial services will be conducted at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James Street at Richmond, on Friday, December 4. There will be a visitation at 1 P.M. A Masonic memorial service, under the auspices of Tuscan Lodge #195 A.F. & A.M. will be held at 2 pm, followed immediately by a service of celebration and remembrance.  All are welcome to attend these ceremonies which will also be live-streamed. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the London Community Foundation – Gael and William T. Webster Family Fund would be appreciated by the family.