Obituary of William Matthew Barber

BARBER: REVEREND WILLIAM (BILL) Peacefully at Spruce Lodge in Stratford on Sunday, January 17, 2016, Reverend William (Bill) Barber was in his 89th year. Loving husband of Laura Barber, nee Urquhart, for 55 years. Dear father of Neil & Marie Mitchell of Walton, and son, Daryl. Proud Grandpa Bill to Emily, Sean, Sarah and Claire Mitchell. Also survived by nieces and nephews Bob and Sharon Matthews, Grant Matthews, Dr. June Matthews and Ibrahim Moharram, Gerald and Mary Golem and their families, as well as sisters-in-law Leila Kjarside, Eileen Urquhart and Violet Urquhart and their families. Predeceased by parents Harold and Charlotte (Porter) Barber, brother-in-law and sister Art and Islay Matthews, and nephew Keith Matthews, as well as brothers- and sisters-in law, Donald Urquhart, Wilmer and Mary Urquhart, Christina Hanna, Kris Kjarside and Allan Urquhart. Bill was born in Normanby Township in 1927. In the late 1950's, he left the family farm and pursued an education as he felt called to the ministry. He graduated from Presbyterian College in Montreal in 1966. Bill served his ordained missionary appointment in Melfort, Saskatchewan. He also served in St. Andrews and Southminster in Brandon, Manitoba, and Knox in Lloydminster, Alberta. Returning to Ontario in 1984, Bill served in First, Seaforth, and St. Andrews, Clinton, and Livingston Presbyterian in Baden, before retiring to Bayfield, where he provided supply at Knox for 7 years. Friends will be received at the Falconer Funeral Home in Clinton on Wednesday, January 20 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church in Cranbrook on Thursday, January 21 at 11 a.m. Interment at Maplewood Cemetery near Durham in the spring. Memorial donations to Ronald McDonald House of Southwestern Ontario or Evangel Hall Mission would be greatly appreciated. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Falconer Funeral Homes. Messages of condolence for the Barber and Mitchell family may be sent to www.falconerfuneralhomes.com