Obituary of Willem de Groot

de Groot, Willem – Bill passed away at Trillium Villa with his family at his side on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at the age of 91. Beloved husband of Helen Gillespie. Dear father of Bill de Groot (Wendy), Susan Drellick (Peter) and Marcia Halliday. Step-father of Fr. Chris Gillespie, Elizabeth Brooks (Damian) and Joanne Dion (Alain). Grandfather of Alex Drellick, Chase Drellick, Mitchell Halliday, Stuart Brooks, Natasha Brooks and Adam Dion. Brother of Gerda Langendorff (Fred) and Margriet Hermans (late Marc). Predeceased by 1^st wife Joyce (1991), daughter Mary-Jane (1964), step-son Allan Gillespie (2002) and parents Johannes and Bertha de Groot, Bets de Groot, Clementina Janse and Jopie Janse.

Bill immigrated to Canada from The Netherlands in 1957. He arrived in Kingston and in 1960 he accepted a position with Dow Chemical in Sarnia. He retired from the Instrumentation Department in 1993.

Bill was active in the Cursillo Movement in Sarnia. He enjoyed Tai Chi, biking and golf.

The family would like to thank the staff of Trillium Villa for the compassion and kindness shown to him during his stay there and the exceptional palliative care given to Bill at the end of his life.

Visitation will be held at the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. with prayers being offered at 7:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 1465 Lecaron Ave., Sarnia on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 1 p.m. The funeral mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed by by following the link: https://youtube.com/live/dUtShDqU_H0 Interment Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the Alzheimers Society of Sarnia Lambton, 420 N. East St., Sarnia, N7T 6Y5 or St. Joseph’s Hospice, 475 N. Christina St., Sarnia, N7T 5W3. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com