Born in Megchelen in 1928, William immigrated to Canada in 1954. Passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Exeter Villa on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the age of 96. Beloved husband of Anna (Brus) Duenk for 69 years. Cherished father of Kevin Duenk and Jackie Lamond, Martin Duenk and Joanne Scott, Mary and Mike Ondrejika, and Peter Duenk and Karen Eatwell. Adored grandfather of Cale, Eric, Mallory; Danielle, Michaela; Sarah, Hilary, and Emily, and great-grandfather of 8. Fondly remembered by his many siblings, nieces, nephews and the extended Duenk, Brus and family in the Netherlands. Predeceased by his first born infant daughter, siblings, and his parents Wilhelmus and Maria (Janssen) Duenk.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Exeter Villa for the compassion and care provided to William during his stay.
Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service will be held in the spring at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Lucan.
Donations to South Huron Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Ann &Rob Bennett
Dear Mary, Mike and Duenk families, So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. We are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
George Marr
So sorry to hear about William. Condolences from the Marr family.
elizabeth fritz
Dear Mary & amp;Mike, Danielle & amp;Nick, Michaela & amp;Bill and families,
Deepest sympathies on the loss of your Dad/Opa. I will always remember his impeccable dress and vibrant energy! Together he and your Mom/Oma created a beautiful family and I’m so glad they chose to make Canada their home. Love, Liz
elizabeth fritz
Dear Mary&Mike, Danielle&Nick, Michaela&Bill and families,
Deepest sympathies on the loss of your Dad/Opa. I will always remember his impeccable dress and vibrant energy! Together he and your Mom/Oma created a beautiful family and I’m so glad they chose to make Canada their home. Love, Liz
Pete and Paula Sereda
Dear Mary, Mike and families,
Sincere condolences in the loss of your loved one. May the many memories of your father and grandfather be cherished and give you strength over the days that lie ahead. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Pete and Paula
Colin and Donna
Our sympathy to all the Duenk family in the loss of your dad. Our thoughts are with you.
Tamara Thompson
The residents and staff of the Exeter Villa send their heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Rob te Koppele
Lieve tante Annie and family,
Our sincere condolences with the passing of Oom Willy,
May you find comfort in beautifull memories.
We are thinking of you.
Rob en Peter te Koppele
Jos Volmerink
Lieve tante Annie, dear members of the Duenk-Brus family,
Our sincere condolences with the passing of uncle Willy.
Although our families are separated by an ocean, your names were and still are mentioned regularly when we are together. We have great memories of our visits to Canada. Your warm hospitality was wonderful!
Els Volmerink-Brus en Jan Volmerink †
Erik & Sandra
Marga & Frank
Jos & Manon
Bob and Nancy Manning
Peter, Karen and family: Sorry for your loss!
Ron and Louise Vanderhoek
Very sorry to here of Bill’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time.
Fien
Lieve (tante) Annie, kinderen en kleinkinderen.
Wij wensen jullie veel sterkte met dit grote verlies, jullie man, vader en opa Willy.
Onze gedachten zijn bij jullie.
Frans Grashof
Fien Grashof-Brus
Karin
Maarten
Henry Kleinhofmeyer
My condolences to my aunt Annie and all my cousins, their children and grandchildren. You were privileged to have him in your life. Henry Kleinhofmeyer. Son of Marie. Osoyoos BC
Corinne (VanDeursen) Pettit
My deepest sympathy to the family. I have a lot of fond memories of Willy and Annie while visiting them with mom.
Corinne (VanDeursen) Pettit
My deepest sympathy to the Duenk family. I have a lot of very fond memories of Willy.
Henrietta Everett
Sincere condolences to the entire family. I have alot of fond
memories from the earlier years.. Your family was a big part of ours back in the day.
Henrietta (VanDeursen)Everett
Marcel Brus
Lieve tante Annie, dear members of the Duenk-Brus family,
Our sincere condolences with the passing of oom Willy. Even though there was a large distance, ever since the emigration of Willy and Annie our parents (Ben and Louise) kept a warm contact and you were never far away; a phone call now and then, a letter or a card, and later visits by airplane. ‘Canada’, as you would be referred to, has always remained a part of the family. Rest in peace Willy after such a long life.
Marga
Angelien
Marcel
George
Alex †
Theo
Lieve Annie tante Annie
Gecondoleerd met het verlies van jou man ,mijn broer en onze oom
Bedankt voor de gastvrijheid en gezelligheid
Denk aan de motor ritten die we samen gemaakt hebben
Namens de familie Klein Hofmeijer/Duenk
Famlie klein Hofmeijer Duenk
Lieve Annie/tanteAnnie
Namens Marie en kinderen gecondoleerd met het verlies van jou man en mijn broer en onze oom
Veel kracht en sterkte de familie Klein Hofmeijer Duenk
Nogmaals bedankt voor de gastvrijheid
Denk aan de motor ritten die samen gemaakt hebben
Janet/Frank Winters
To the Duenk Family,
The Winters family has a special friendship with Annie and Willy. They immigrated at the same time. Visits were always loud as there were a few deaf ears in the room. Lots of talk and laughter were synonymous with coffee and cookies. Know that we are thinking about you at this difficult time.
xo Frank and Janet Winters
JD and Nancy Hess
Mrs Duenk , Peter , Mary , Martin and Kevin and your families , so sorry to hear about your loss.
Our condolences, JD and Nancy
JD and Nancy Hess
Mrs Duenk , Peter , Mary , Martin and Kevin and your families , so sorry to hear about your loss.
Our condolences, JD and Nancy
arlene and scott thomson family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Frank
Dear Aunt Annie and family,
We were so sorry to hear about Uncle Willy’s passing. Even though he lived a full life of 96 years, he will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.
With love,
Family Frank and Karin Duenk
Gendringen
Carolyn
Mary and Family;
Sending our deepest condolences from Hearing Life Exeter. It was pleasure being able to assist your dad and family over the last few years.
Carolyn
Jessica
Hearing Life Exeter
Jan en Marian Janssen
Dear Annie and family,
Our sincere condolences on Willie’s passing.
We have always enjoyed your visits to us in Elst and to the Janssen family at Zeldenrust in Driel.
We also enjoyed our visits with you in Canada during our trips on your continent.
We wish you a lot of strength in coping with this loss.
Jan and Marian Janssen,
also on behalf of the rest of the Janssen family.
Thea Sas-Duenk
Dear Canadian family,
What a wonderful age uncle Willy has reached. Yet it remains sad to have to say goodbye definitively. May the beautiful memories remain with you.
I can remember the moment uncle Willy came, together with aunt Annie, to Bladel in 1954 to say goodbye to his brother Theo and family before they emigrated to Canada. I was three years old at that time and it was very special.
Also I remember well the first time he came back in the 70s. with aunt Annie and the children. He enjoyed it very much to be back in Holland again. A big smile on his face!
Our condolences for the whole family and we wish aunt Annie specially a lot of strength in these sad times.
Thea en Harry Sas-Duenk
Petra en mario
Our deepest sympathy with the loss of your loved dad/granddad. 😞 it is so tough losing someone you have known your whole life. Thinking of you guys. Thoughts and prayers be with you.
Clare & Brenda (Parsons) Martene & Family
Dear: Mary, Mike, daughters Danielle, Michaela & Families . . .
We extend our deepest condolences to you on the passing of your Dad/Grandpa during this immensely sad time. 💔 His departure from your lives will leave a tremendous void in your hearts . . . he will be forever missed, but his love for all of you, will always be there. He was blessed with a beautiful long life reaching the age of 96 which is remarkable. His memory will forever live on, in the stories, laughter & love you share as a family & may they heal your hearts & brings smiles through your tears. 🙏🏻❤️
❤️ “Don’t cry because I’m gone; Smile brightly because I lived.” ❤️
Sending prayers of healing to you while you grieve & also to the extended Duenk/Brus Families. May your family find strength & peace in each other now & be surrounded by the love of family & friends to help you through the difficult days that lay ahead. ❤️🙏🏻❤️
💞Sincerely, Clare & Brenda (Parsons) Martene & Family💞
Gerard Klein Hofmeijer
Tante Annie en fam.
Gecontroleerd met het verlies van je man vader ,opa.
Ik wens jullie veel kracht toe, voornamelijk en de komende tijd.
Melissa Francis
Dear Anna and Family: I am sorry to hear of Wills passing.
I enjoyed my time with both he and Ann when I visited their home on Sunday’s to bring them Communion.
We laughed and talked a lot!
My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you.
Melissa
Joe and Diane Kaak
Anny and Family
Our sympathy in the loss of your loved one.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We have many great memories of you’s over the years, especially all the dutch parties
Hugs,
Joe and Diane Kaak
Caroline Rasenberg
Thinking of you all at this emotional time, may the wonderful memories of your Dad and Opa be with you forever.
Willie was a very proud man, keeping up his country home & farm with planting trees, tulips, grass cutting and his love for sheep.
He was determined to be independent and adventurous in riding his motorbike, golf cart and scooter right to the end – I would say that is one “Stubborn Dutchman”!
Rest in Peace Willie
With Deepest Sympathy
Caroline & Tony Vanderhoek
Amy Vingerhoeds
Mary & Mike & family
Our condolences to your whole family.
96 years is a long time… with so many stories to remember!
Dale Cook
Anne, Pete, Mary, Martin & Kevin
My sincere condolences to you and your families
Brenda Horn
Mary, Mike and Family,
We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad/Opa. We are thinking of you and sending you our sincere condolences. Your love for your Dad/Opa will live on in your hearts. Cherish your memories!
Jeff and Brenda and Family ♥️
DOUG & BETTY WESTON
Sorry for your loss, Had some good times at the farm over the years, Rest in peace
DOUG & BETTY WESTON
Sorry for your loss, Had some good times at the farm over the years, Rest in peace
Trucy Cornelis Ailsa Craig
Dear Anne, I am so sorry to hear of your Willy’s passing He had a beautiful long life at 96.
My prayers for you and your extended family.
Trucy Cornelis
Tom and Noella Triebner
Mary Mike and Family. We wish to send our sincere condolences to you on the passing of your Father . Thinking of you all.
James Weston
Kevin and Jackie and the Duenk family – Our sincere sympathy in the loss of your father.
Helen and Jim
Tom and Lily Facchin
Our condolences to Kevin and Jackie and the entire Duenk family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Jim and Eleanor Weigand
Dear Mary and Mike Ondrejika and family.
Our sincere sympathy on the loss of your Dad.
Jim and Eleanor Weigand
Karen Beattie
Sorry for your Loss Duenk xox K
Teresa Easter (Kaak)
Dear Tante Annie, Peter, Mary, Martin and Kevin,
I have so many fond memories of Ome Willie. Many laughs around my mom and dad‘s kitchen table and time spent at their place in Lucan. The joke telling and laughter. May he rest in peace. Hugs to all of you.
Mass will be offered in his memory.
Vicki De Block
Bill lived a full life crazy man on the bike or horse remember the good times not the sad they were always there for my mom and will always remember that thankyou bill and ann
Dann and Sally Mills
Ann, Peter, Mary, Martin, Kevin and families
Our sincere condolences on the loss of Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Birgit
Dear tante Annie and family,
Our condolences on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. He was for a long time with us. We hope that beautiful memories of him will bring a smile through your tears and bring you comfort. Thinking of you.
Birgit en Paul te Kaat-Brus
Coba Brus-Berendsen
Leon Duenk
Dear tante Annie and family,
Sorry to hear of ome Willy’s passing.
We have lots of good memories, both in Megchelen but also in Lucan.
We wish you all lots of strength!
Lyne, Carla en Leon.
Bonnie Manders
Sincere Sympathy to the Duenk and Brus Family.
Gord Duncan
Saddened to hear about Bill’s passing. I have wonderful memories as his VON driver for several years and sharing many brunches on our Friday morning drives. Sympathy to Anna and all his family members. God’s loving peace.
john Morgan
Ann & family,
Our sincere condolences to all, sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Remembering many rides that we had with Bill when he had the motorcycle.
Joan & John Morgan
Keith and Liz Selves
Kevin and Jackie, We are sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our condolences to you and all your family. Keith and Liz
Margaret Watt
Ann and family
My sincere sympathy to you all. Don and I enjoyed our weekly visits with Bill and Ann for a number of years ,always ending each visit with coffee and a Dutch cookie served by Bill. Cherish your many memories .Thinking of you.
Margaret Watt
David Hartman
Kevin, Jackie and the entire Duenk family
Our deepest condolences on the sudden loss of your dad.
Sending our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dave & Linda
Deborah and Rich Hunter
Rich and I offer your family our deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved father
John & Carol Coleman
Extending our heartfelt sympathies to Mary, Mike & family. May you find only cherished memories to comfort you in this time of sorrow.
Sincerely John & Carol Coleman
Maria Duenk
Dear aunt Annie and family,
Condolences from our hearts.
Much strength with this big loss.
He was a milestone for you and his family, for such a long time.
But also for us…. on the other site of the ocean…
We often mentioned aunt Annie en uncle Willy.
Our visits (2x ) at Lucas we don’t forget.
Your sincerely
Martin Duking en Maria Duenk, Silvolde Holland.
Allen and Julie Rollings
Annie and Family,
So very sorry to hear of Willy’s passing.
May his memories heal your hearts.
Thinking of you all, and sending prayers.
Al & Julie (Kaak)
Lauren Van Dieten
Sarah, Hilary and the Duenk family,
We are sorry for your loss, and thinking of you during this difficult time.
Garrett and Lauren Van Dieten
Steve Gould
My condolences to the family. Steve Gould.
Jim & Linda Dietrich
Mary, Mike & Family,
Our sincere sympathy to all of you, so sorry for your loss.
Jim & Linda Dietrich.
Pat Kelly
My Sincere condolences to the Duenk Family
Diane Young and Jessica Davis
Peter, Karen and families
Very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Cherish your memories.
Carole Damen
My sincere condolences to Anne and your families in the loss of your loved one
Jet Duenk
Dear family on the other side of the ocean,
Our condolences for the loss of Willy. 96 is a respectable age and still he will be missed.
Sending you love and sympathy,
Jet & Eric
Tuur
Julie
Doug and Mary Lee
The Duenk Family, our condolences to you all, we are sorry to hear the passing of your dad. Doug and Mary Lee
Anne-Marie
Dochter van Marie. Anne-Marie. Ik wens jullie veel sterkte met het verlies van jullie vader. Maar mooi dat jullie hem zolang in jullie midden mochten hebben. Mijn moeder is zijn zus. Gelukkig hebben we haar nog. 🌹😘
José Schmäing Brus
Condolences with your loss, Tante Annie and family
Greeting from Your niece José from Germany
Melonie Miller
Mary, Mike & family..
Our sympathy to all of you on the loss of your dad..
Barry & Melonie Miller
Diane Park
Marty and family
So sorry for the loss of your dad, we have you and yours in our thoughts.
Ray and Diane
Kaylee O
Condolences to the families!
Claudia Lopez
My condolences to Duenk family 🙏
Larry and Jane
Our hearts and prayers are with all the Duenk families. Love from us to you Larry and Jane Rundle & families.
John and Sandy Ulch
Kevin, Jackie and the Duenk family
We wish to offer our condolences on the passing of your Dad. Thinking of you!
Carolyn & Gerald Johns
Thinking of the Duenk family as they gather to share memories.
So many years to celebrate!
rick graham
our deepest condolences to the family for the loss of your father, may he rest in peace
Rick Brenda