Bill passed away on his 78th birthday, 5 June 2024, while residing at the Rideau Veterans Residence, Perley Health Center, Ottawa. He was the eldest son of Ken and Mary Reed, both deceased, of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He leaves to remember him his loving and devoted wife Karen, his daughter Beth (Adam Kusch), granddaughter Ella, his sister Carole (Bill Harris) and brother Bob (Leslie), sister-in-law Linda (late Peter Newton), as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends.
Bill was born, raised and educated in Saskatchewan. While at university (B.A., ‘66, LL.B. ‘69) he enrolled and served in the RCN(R). After graduation and upon being called to the Bar, he entered into private practice in Prince Albert where he remained until he enrolled in the CF Regular Force as a legal officer in the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG).
His close to 35 year career as a military lawyer had taken him throughout Canada, Europe, the Balkans and the United States (including Puerto Rico and Hawaii) where he has performed duties as both prosecutor and defence counsel, sat as a trial judge (alone and with a full court), and provided a wide range of legal advice, services, training and counsel in personnel, administrative, criminal, disciplinary, international and operational legal matters at the strategic, operational/theatre and tactical levels.
A non-practicing member of his Law Society in retirement, he served a term on the Friends of the Canadian War Museum Board of Directors, was a member of several Committees, a volunteer interpreter, and a long-time volunteer in the Military History Research Center and Library at the Canadian War Museum. He was a de facto co-chair of the “JAG Alumni” (retired legal officers across Canada), a member of the Orleans Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and Orleans United Church.
Family and friends are invited to Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery, and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON) for a Visitation on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life in Beechwood’s Sacred Space at 10:00 a.m. with Interment to be held in the National Military Cemetery located at Beechwood Cemetery with Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Friends of the Canadian War Museum, Perley Health Center, or a charity of your choice would appreciate. Messages of condolence may be left at www.beechwoodottawa.ca
Digital Guestbook
Bruce Mayo
Sharon Dujay
My sincere condolences Karen, Beth and Family. It was my pleasure to have worked with Capt(N) Reed at JAG. I will remember him with great fondness.
Ken and Maureen Watkin
Karen, Maureen and I pass on our sincerest condolences. I was honoured to have had Bill as a “boss” for so many years, and to have appeared before him while he was sitting as judge. A true gentleman and a kind, knowledgeable and thoughtful leader. He was a mentor to so many of us. While only those of a certain generation will know, he held the Branch together in those hectic post-Somalia years in the 1990s with his calm and reasoned approach to so many challenges. I never left his office without him passing words of encouragement and frequently a humorous observation. Such a wry sense of humour. Bill was a true family man, and here again he set the example for us all. Bill served Canada so well over his many years of dedicated service to the country.
Major-General (ret'd) Blaise Cathcart,KC
Dear Karen and family. It was with deep sadness that I learned of Bill's recent passing. I offer my sincere condolences. Bill was, essentially, the one who recruited me to the Legal Branch. He remained a tremendous role model and mentor, as he did with many young officers, throughout my career. While he taught me much about military law, it was his prairie wisdom and kindness that really impacted me. He had a big heart that was only matched by his big desire to sell JAG neck ties! I am gutted by his passing. He will be sorely missed. I thank Bill for his service and many sacrifices for the Legal Branch, the JAG, the CAF and Canada. As Bill was fond of saying, he did the Queen's (now King's) tweed proud. His spirit lives on. Take care.
Pat and Jerry Pitzul
It is with great sadness that we have heard of Bill’s passing. A gentleman, an exceptional lawyer and JAG officer who gave many years of extraordinary service to his country. Dedicated to his family and friends, his memory and legacy will be cherished by all who knew him. Karen, Beth and family you have our sincere condolences.
Suzanne Touchette
It was sad to learn of Capt(N) Reed's passing. I was lucky enough to have worked for a certain period of time for Capt(N) Reed at the JAG office. I have fond memories of this great gentleman. My sincere condolences to the whole family.
Jim Price
Like so many other former legal officers writing in this space, I was also the beneficiary of Bill's wisdom and kindness.My condolences to the family.
Warren Fensom
I owe my military career to this wonderful man. As the then SLAE (Senior legal Advisor Europe), he fully supported my greater involvement with the CF. His words that I "could do this" got my pen to the paper. Perhaps he just wanted more folk from Saskatchewan in the Branch.
Upon entering his office, no matter whether the news was bad or even worse, I was always greeted with a friendly hand wave to the visitor's chair and a warm "Come on in Warren", said in a tone that would settle me in. His pleasant demeanor (an sometimes giggle) was his steady state. To this day I use his expression of "astern of station" to describe my often inattentiveness to time. I adopted his love of pens that "lay down the proper amount of ink". His leadership was never harsh, but he was firm when he had to be. He was a steady man at the tiller to be sure.
Perhaps Lord Tennyson foreshadowed Bill's passing when he wrote:
" Sunset and Evening Star
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar
When I put out to sea."
Adieu my long term friend
Armand and Judie DesRoches
We are very saddened by the news of Bill's death.
Bill and I joined JAG at about the same time in the early 1970s.I was pleased to count him as a valued colleague and a close friend.
He will be sadly missed .
We extend to Karen and family our most sincere condolences.
Philippe-Luc Boutin
Another of our own JAG hero is gone. So sad. My heart and thoughts are with his family.
I first met Bill in Lahr in the 70’s when I was a
member of the Military Police. Later, I knew him when I became a Legal Officer. His knowledge and judgment will be missed. He was particularly good at reaching out with an appropriate message when one was going through tough times. All of my condolences to his family.