Obituary of William Lewis Marr, Professor Emeritus

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Lewis Marr who passed away suddenly on Thursday July 2, 2026 at Grand River Hospital after a brief illness. Loving husband of Marion Jane Marr (nee Little) for 59 years; dear father of Jennifer Bigioni (David) and Peter Marr (Angela); beloved Grandpa of Joseph Bigioni, Isabella Bigioni, Logan Marr and Kenzy Marr.

Bill is remembered by his sister-in-law Eleanor Monds. Predeceased by his parents Myrtle (nee Smith) and Lewis Marr, his in-laws Jean (Thompson) and Kenneth Little, and his brother-in-law Bill Monds. He leaves behind a circle of cherished friends who loved to spend time with Bill, whether it was a game of bridge or poker, time on the golf course, beers at the Duke of Wellington, or a morning breakfast.

Bill was born on March 25, 1944, and lived his childhood years in Waterdown, Ontario. He enjoyed bowling and card games with his friends which was influenced by the time he spent playing cards with his Grandma Smith, and playing ball in the backyard with his dog Stormy. As a teenager, he started his lifelong love of golf and spent many summer days at Chedoke Golf Club in Hamilton with his friends and Dad.

Bill graduated from Waterdown District High School and went on to study History and Economics as an undergrad at McMaster University. Studying at university was always a point of pride since he was told in high school that he should not attend a post-secondary school. He loved attending McMaster, and was involved in many clubs on campus as well as the school’s curling club. He graduated from McMaster with honours in 1966, and was awarded the Hurd medal for top marks as a 4th year Economics student. Bill began his graduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, graduating with his MA in Economics in 1967 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Economics in 1972. His thesis focused on immigration to Canada after WWII until the 1970’s.

Bill spent 39 wonderful years as a Professor of Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, dedicated to the many students he taught. From 1976-77, the family spent a year on sabbatical in Vancouver at UBC, where he co-authored the book Canada: An Economic History. Bill was most proud of his work as Chair of the Research Ethics Board at Laurier. Bill also served as the Canadian delegate in the 1980s in discussions around immigration at the OECD in Paris. Bill will be fondly remembered through the faculty and staff he worked with. Both his children; Jennifer and Peter and granddaughter Isabella attended Laurier as undergrads, and loved seeing their Dad and Grandpa on campus. During his tenure at Laurier, Bill was an avid curler, and enjoyed the years he played on the intramural Laurier faculty team.

In retirement, Bill enjoyed lawn bowling at Heritage Greens Lawn Bowling Club, and was a volunteer there for many years. Bill and Marion loved to travel in Canada, especially to Victoria, British Columbia, and around southern Ontario. He was a life-long supporter of the Stratford Festival, local theatres and the KW Symphony. Games and puzzles have always been a big part of Bill’s life, and he was quite good at them. Wordle was a daily ritual with Marion, with sudoku as his own personal challenge.

Bill was a dedicated family man, and loved to spend time with Marion, his children and grandchildren. As a Grandpa, he loved games with his grandchildren, teaching them how to play dominos, cornhole and more. For many years, our family travelled each summer to Bayfield, Ontario and those trips will always be some of our most special moments. Bill, Dad, Grandpa, you will be missed dearly.

Thank you to the team of nurses and doctors at Grand River Hospital ICU for their care.

A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow in the funeral home’s Fireside Reception Room. A private family interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Bill’s memory to the William and Marion Marr Graduate Award at WLU. Bill and Marion established this award to financially aid graduate students with special needs. Donations may be arranged by clicking here. For assistance, please contact the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.