William (Bill) Thomas Drew passed away on January 8, 2025, at the age of 90. Bill was born on June 26 1934 in Port Arthur, to William Ernest Drew and Violet Mary Hazel (nee Thomas) Drew. He was the third of six children, with two older sisters, Norma and Audrey, and three younger brothers, Ray, Pat, and Jed. He was a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay and attended Pine Street Public School and Port Arthur Collegiate Institute.
In 1953, Bill married Kjerstin Hedberg and together they raised four children. They were happily married for almost 65 years, until Kjerstin passed away in January 2018.
Bill worked at CN Rail as a train conductor starting when he was 18 and retiring in 1984 and was a former Local Chairman for the United Transportation Union. He also started and operated a trucking and logging company and managed to work both professions for most of his life. Bill was a tireless worker and was supported by Kjerstin who held down the home front.
Bill and Kjerstin liked to travel. For many years this involved attending motocross events throughout Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden and Finland to watch their sons compete. Later in life they enjoyed escaping winter with yearly road trips to California, and summer visits to Manitoba.
Bill was predeceased by Kjerstin whom he greatly missed, his parents William and Violet Drew, his father and mother-in-law Gustav and Dagmar Hedberg, his son-in-law Doug Drew, sister Norma Lepere, brothers Ray Drew and Pat Drew, brothers-in-law Len Hedberg, Dominic Lepere and Clyle Jackson, sister-in-law’s, Arlene Drew, and Laurie Drew.
Bill is survived by children Patty Drew, Bill Drew (Shelley), Joanne Drew (Ted Jedruch), Shane Drew (Irma). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Raechel, Cole, Jaime, Stefan, Jessica and Raquel, and his great grandchildren, Carmanah, Josef, Emerson and Olivia, his brother Jed Drew, sister Audrey Jackson, sister in law Shirley Drew, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Respecting Bill’s wishes cremation has taken place. A private family memorial will be held in the future. Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
