William Clyde "Bill" Rooney

Well known Canning businessman passes away

William Clyde "Bill" Rooney - 88, formerly of Canning, Kings County, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at Shannex Orchard Court, Kentville, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. Born on September 9, 1928 he was the son of the late Berwick and Margaret (Bezanson) Rooney. He was born and grew up in Canning and attended Canning School #55 and then rode the train to Kentville to attend Kings County Academy for his senior grades. In his younger days he loved to play hockey and baseball. Never one to sit idly, he picked apples, packed potatoes at Maple Leaf Fruit Co., sold fish door to door, collected empty bottles from ditches, had his own taxi business and snack bar and did whatever else he could to provide for his family. His introduction to school busses began when he started driving for the local school board mainly bussing students to and from Cornwallis District High School in Canning. In the late summer of 1963 he purchased his own school bus and then drove students to and from Kings County Vocational High School in Kentville, later Kings Regional Vocational School. He then formed his own school and charter bus business, W.C. Rooney Transportation Ltd., which he successfully ran for thirty five years. In 1944 Bill joined and served in the Militia until the end of war and for many years was a member of the Canning Fire Department and Royal Canadian Legion, Habitant Branch #73. While their health was good, Bill and his wife, Mona much enjoyed winters spent at their home in Port Charlotte, Florida. They also enjoyed spending time at their cottage at Long Beach. A great story teller, Bill could keep all listeners laughing as he recalled amusing events from his taxi driving days involving many of the characters living in and around Canning. Although urged by many to write down his stories so they could be published and enjoyed by future generations, he never found the time to do it. He is survived by daughters, Bonnie, Sheffield Mills and Margaret Hood, Lawrencetown, Halifax County; grandson, Steven (Erica) Hood; granddaughter, Shannon Hood (James Purdy), Dartmouth; extended family, John and Donna Bickerton, Sheffield Mills; Heather Fraser, Halifax and Cheryl Bickerton, Centreville; "adopted" grandchildren, Mitchell Fraser, Evan Fraser, Allyssia, Kristen, Shane and Taylor Bickerton; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Mona (Arenburg); infant sons, Hugh and Robert; brother, Burnell; sister, Etta and brother in law, Joe Carisse. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, October 15, 2016 with a Royal Canadian Legion tribute service to be held at 7:30 p.m., both in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. The funeral service, followed by a reception, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 16, 2016, in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Reverend Ivan Norton officiating. Burial will take place in the Jaw Bone Corner Cemetery, Canard, Kings County. Special thank you to all staff at Shannex Orchard Court, Kentville and the Wolfville Elms, Wolfville for your kind, professional care. Family flowers only by request. Donations in memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Canning Baptist Church or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.