Obituary of William Henry Peters

At the age of 73, Billy died peacefully on September 25, 2022, in Harbourview Lodge Nursing Home, Sheet Harbour, NS as his loving family sang, YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, a tune sung at each visit. Billy was born on June 7, 1949, 1 of 12 children born to the late Alphonse and Gladys (Richards) Peters. He was the first baby boy born in the newly built Sheet Harbour Hospital. Billy will always be loved, admired, respected, and remembered by siblings who survive him: Irma Snyder, Sheet Harbour; Laurie (Kathy Rogers), Stewiacke; Stephen (Sharon), Harbourview Lodge, Sheet Harbour; George (Connie), Dartmouth; Nancy (Steve) Balcom, Dartmouth; Beth Moser (Brian Duggan), Halifax; Bonnie (Bobby) Behie, Lower Sackville; Theresa (Paul) Parks, Halifax; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Billy was predeceased by sisters Linda, in infancy; Anita Amyot, brother Jerry, brother-in-law Bob, niece Melissa Anderson, stepmother Doris Peters and girlfriend Colleen Henley. Billy suffered two brain injuries, at ages 13 and 17, which left him to live his life as a paraplegic. Even though facing monumental challenges, nothing stopped him from living life to his fullest potential. With complete determination, amazing deep faith, positive attitude, and sheer stubbornness he carried on and pressed forward. Billy taught himself to ride a 2-wheel bicycle; he would spend time in the woods hunting, fishing, cutting property lines with a big machete. After a long recovery from his second accident, Billy returned to Duncan MacMillan High School and completed his grade 12 education. He then worked as a flagman for the Department of Transportation for several summers. Thank you to all the roadcrews who were always very kind to Billy and kept an eye on him. Billy was an accomplished piano player before his accident and continued to play with one hand after his recovery. He loved music and taught himself to play the harmonica. He would often entertain staff and residents at the nursing home with his ditties. Prior to his second accident, Billy was a busy teenager playing ball, skating on frozen ponds, climbing, and raiding apple trees, teasing his younger siblings unmercifully, hunting, fishing, swimming in the river, running through the Marrinette woods, going to school dances, and playing music every night with Dad and family members. Billy joined Cadets and became an excellent marksman winning many long-range shooting competitions. Billy taught himself to drive and proudly purchased a number of vehicles over the years. He would spend many days driving to Pleasant Valley to visit his girlfriend, Colleen, or drive to Truro or New Glasgow, usually to buy more music books and harmonicas. He spent many years planting, shearing, pruning, and harvesting his cherished balsam fir Christmas trees. Billy loved to go to the horse races with brother Laurie or to the camp with brother George whom he adored. It was at the camp where he downed a big spikehorn buck. His excitement was contagious and a joy for the boys at the camp to witness. After our parents died, Billy lived independently in the old homestead for several years where he cared for and loved an old stray cat that was lucky enough to have met Billy. While living alone, with the faithful support of brother George, he very capably kept the lawns mowed, the yard cleaned up, and the driveway cleared of snow, as he lovingly kept the home fires burning for each of us when we visited. With the support of family and Home Care Billy was able to remain in our family home until 2012 when he moved to Elmhurst Apartments in Sheet Harbour. After suffering a mini stroke in 2015 and no longer able to live independently, Billy moved first to Glen Haven Nursing Home in New Glasgow, NS and then to Harbourview Lodge in Sheet Harbour where he received loving care from dedicated staff. Billy was a huge presence in the lives of all his siblings. Never once did he complain about the challenges he faced in life. Throughout his life, Billy had a tremendous sense of humor and entertained us with his jokes, teasing, and laughter. When we visited Billy, we were always met with his beautiful, infectious big smile that lit up the room like a bright sunny day! He appreciated every visit, every song, every gift and would consistently thank us for visiting. Billy, you truly are ‘Our Sunshine, Our Only Sunshine!’ A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Sheet Harbour, on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 11 am with Archbishop Emeritus Martin Currie officiating. Fiddle music will begin at 10:45. Burial of ashes will take place immediately after the service in the parish cemetery. A reception will be held at the Sheet Harbour Legion, 2356 Hwy 7, Watt Section NS. All are welcome. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia www.braininjury.com or Harbourview Lodge, Sheet Harbour www.harbourviewlodge.ca Online condolences may be left at www.crowellsfuneralhome.ca