Flt-Lt William Napier

By BGen (Ret) Lloyd Skaalen

Flight/Lieutenant William F. (Bill) Napier passed away on Friday, Dec. 2, 2004 at the age of 88. He had been a member of Royal United Services Institutes for 55 years.

He was born in Campbelton, N.B., attended schools in Campbellton as well as Rothesay Collegiate School, Dalhousie University, the University of New Brunswick.and the Cape Breton Flying club.

Bill transferred to the RCAF from the North Shore Regiment of New Brunswick in late 1939. He took initial pilot training at Camp Borden and advanced flight training at Trenton. He proceeded overseas in September 1940. In England, he attended the Hurricane OTU and was posted to 401 RCAF Squadron. While flying Hurricanes, he sailed on two trips aboard Liberty ships, ready to launch his Hurricane if required. He later converted to Spitfires and flew with 412 Squadron until April 1942 when he was injured during a mid-air and crash landing. He was repatriated to Canada and served with squadrons on the East Coast flying transports for the duration of the war.

After the war Bill lived in Halifax and Chester, N.S. while working with Wood Gundy Ltd. for over 35 years. He joined RUSI of Halifax in 1949 and was a life member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. He retired to Victoria in 1986 and continued his involvement with various service organizations. He was a member of RUSI VI, AFOA of VI and the Air Crew Association.

He is survived by wife Pam, daughter Mary Levins (Ken) of Calgary, sons John (Carmella) of Halifax and Michael (Adrienne Thomas) of Dartmouth.

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