BRENNER ** UPDATED: William “Bill” Ezra
Posted By On January 10, 2026 @ 12:00 AM In Dashwood,Exeter,Obituary | 34 Comments
BRENNER: Peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family, at his home, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Our Patriarch, story teller and Mr. Fix-It, William “Bill” Ezra Brenner of Grand Bend, just shy of 90 years. Beloved husband of 65 years to the late Marlene Anne (Storey) Brenner (June 5, 2025). Loved father and father-in-law of David and Bev Brenner of Ottawa, Pam Brenner of Grand Bend, Doug and Fran Brenner of Grand Bend, Cathy Hurley and Mike Van Alstine of Grand Bend. Cherished Grandpa of Colleen Brenner, Cynthia and Tyler Pelow, Tim and Jasmine Rood, Chris and Mary Rood, Ryan Rood, Michelle and Bryce Bumstead, Brad and Amanda Rood, Scott and Kelley Brenner, Jennifer Brenner and Mike Moore, Jocelyn Brenner and Justin VanderZanden, Leanne Brenner and Ben Kobe, Olivia Hurley and Isabella “Bella” Hurley. Treasured Great-Grandpa of Austin Pelow, Wesley Pelow, Owen Rood, Logan Rood, Nathan Rood, Connor Rood, Mason Rood, Quinnlyn Rood, Landon Bumstead, Tanner Bumstead, Ellie Rood, Brody Brenner and Addison Brenner. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Brenda and Jim Hennessey of Exeter, Gary and Rue-Anne Brenner of Thedford, and the late Betty (April 8, 2025) and Jack Woodcroft of London. Remembered by his nieces, nephews and their families and many close friends. Bill will be greatly missed by his favourite canine grand-pups Freya and Sophie. Predeceased by his parents Glendon “Glen” John and Evelyne Marie (Sweitzer) Brenner, brother-in-law Harry Storey (1959), son-in-law Jerry Hurley (2007), and grand-daughter-in-law Joyce Thomas Rood (2019) and niece Sandra Crawford (2025). At Bill’s request cremation will take place. A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at their home, (17 Orchard Road), Grand Bend, on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 1 to 5 p.m. Captain Bill loved the water and the annual boat trip to North Channel and the 30 Thousand Islands just won’t be the same without Bill and Marlene. Bill grew up, lived his entire life and raised his family in Grand Bend, he was one of the “original Grand Bend residents” and was proud to be the second oldest lifetime Grand Bend Resident. During his working career he wore many hats that allowed him to gather a wealth of knowledge and ability to do many things that are taken for granted. He was an H2O Engineer working at the Water Treatment Plant at Port Blake, he was also a Construction Surveyor and helped layout many Bridges and Roads (he was a part of the main intersection bridge in Grand Bend when it was reconstructed in 1960) and a labourer at PolySar in Sarnia. Bill was involved in the Grand Bend Probus for about 7 years, he has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 498, Grand Bend for 40 years and was a Free Mason with the Lodge in Ailsa Craig for 65 years. Bill also served his community as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Grand Bend Fire Department for over 25 years and he was also the Harbour Master for a few years. Family and friends were important to Bill and Marlene. “How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — Winnie The Pooh. Arrangements entrusted to the T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home, Dashwood. If desired, memorial donations (payable directly) to Jessica’s House Residential Hospice, Exeter; Liver Canada or the London Health Sciences Centre – Multiple Myeloma or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
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Condolences for the family of “BRENNER ** UPDATED: William “Bill” Ezra”
To all of the family we are so sorry for your loss, he was one of a kind and I enjoyed are talks over the years, I was lucky to get to know him and your Mom a terrific couple,
Linda & Jim Dietrich.
Our deepest sympathy. There will never be another Bill Brenner! Mr. Grand Bend. Bill knew everything and if you had time…lots of time, he had the stories and the facts! Rest in peace my friend. You will be missed!
Brenda and Jim, I am so sorry that you have lost your brother. My sincere condolences to your entire family. Remember the good times.
To the entire Brenner family,
We are saddened by the news of Bill’s passing. My years of working with Bill at the Water Plant were memorable and not without the vast amount of stories he told. There was a historical story with every conversation. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. Rest in peace Bill
Terry and Sharon Romphf
I had the pleasure of getting to know Bill when we were teenagers and my family spent time at our cottage in Grand Bend. Many years later my wife and I retired to GB and I reconnected with Bill.
He was truly a GB icon and a great story teller to
boot. My condolences to the family.
Sincere condolences to the Brenner family. Memories of Bill will hold strong but his storytelling, love of fixing things and pickled eggs will be missed. Okay, maybe not the eggs! Thinking of you.
Love from Harry, Dawna and family.
We will miss so much
Our many many memories will be treasured with warmth
Deepest condolences to all
Kenny and Perri
Too many memories to catalogue here, but always the bond of our family and being brothers. Your memory is a blessing, Bill thanks to Jesus’ never ending love.
Sending our condolences to all at this sad time
Pam & Doug and all family members, Both Bill and Marlene were well known and great citizens of the community of Grand Bend. They will be sincerely missed. Doug and Karen Courtney
To all the Brenner family,
My sincere condolences, he was a great man, a good sense of humor.
Ellen Green
My deepest condolences to the whole family. You are all in my prayers. I am grateful to know grandpa for so many years. Grand Bend will not be the same without him. Melody
Pam and family…Sending you hugs and want to express our sympathy on the loss of your dad…Cherish the wonderful memories!!!
Nancy-Rae and Bob Lovie
My condolences to all of Bill’s family. I had the pleasure of working side by side with Bill on the Grand Bend Fire Department. He always had a story to tell about someone or something about our town. Especially the construction of the last bridge. Bill and Marlene always made our annual Christmas parties well worth being there. Rest in piece Mr fixit, you’ll be missed.
Terry Brown
I’m so sorry to hear of Bills passing. He was such a bright and happy person, always made me feel so welcome. His love for his family was always so evident. Thinking of you all at this time.
Dear David & Bev, Pam, Doug & Fran, Cathy & Mike ; & families,
Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Dad. We treasure many happy memories of our times together with he & your Mom. With caring thoughts, Jill & Ralph
My Sincere Condolences to the family.
Sandra Couse
So many good times with this wonderful family . Great boat trips and even better memories . The family will carry it on in loving ways. Sincerely Pat Redman and family
David , Pam, Doug , Cathy and Families . We are sorry to hear of Bills passing and Thinking of You All ❤️. We will miss Bill waving us in and hearing all his stories or driving by and see him working (sanding ) He was telling us how much he missed Marlene now they are together Xavier and Ruthanne
Pam and family What a wonderful legacy of family caring ,community service and leadership your dad left. My heart aches for you and your family. I’m so very sorry for your loss ❤️ Carol
Sincere sympathy to the entire Brenner family.
May the good memories bring Peace and Comfort
To the Brenner family,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your patriarch. Losing both your parents in a short time is so very
hard. Our parents had some good times ‘back in the day’. Lots of memories …
Wishing you peace and comfort with your memories to get you through the tough days.
In sympathy,
Paula LaPorte
To the Brenner Family,
Sending my sincere condolences on Bill’s passing. On the occasions I got to chat with him, his passion for story telling and his family were very evident. He will be missed by all that him but he (and Marlene as well) have left a legacy that will be remembered for many years in Grand Bend.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. What a character , he and your Mom made quite a team. He had a passion for Grand Bend but it was clear when Bill spoke of his Marlene and his family , that’s were his heart and the love of his life was. Proud to have known him, and your Mom, neighbours just down the street for many years. With any luck , see you later Bill.
Rich and Wendy
To all the Brenner Family,
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I had the pleasure of working along side Bill at the water plant and the fire department. Always had a tale to tell…great memories of fire department parties where he and Marlene were always such fun to be around.
Jerry & Rose Vanbruaene
Oh Bil,you were always happy to talk too.you will be missed .Rest with Marlene..I have good memories forever..Bill n Kathy K.
My deepest sympathies to Dave, Pam, Doug, Cathy and all of the extended Brenner families.
Great guy will be missed
Dave, Pam, Doug, Cathy and families. Sorry for your loss.
Brenda, Jim and the Brenner family so sorry to learn of Bills passing. My sincere sympathy to all of you. Forever the corner stone of a Grand Bend.
With our deepest sympathies to the Brenner families.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Brenner family. Mr. Brenner was a wonderful neighbor. He was so welcoming and we enjoyed all his stories, paricularly about the history of the area. We will miss him dearly . Please cherish your many memories.
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
The Marrs
To all the Brenner family, I am so sorry to hear that Bill passed away and so soon after Marlene. A wonderful couple- they will both be missed. Fran
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To all Bill’s Family.
My thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. At my last visit , I told him I would see him in the spring. He did not listen or knew more than I did. I will miss him also.
Wanda Reynolds