- 1949, Thursday September 1, The Almonte Gazette front page
Rev William Aird Held Charge Here For Twenty Years
Death of Baptist Clergyman Closes Useful Life Of Christian Service
Death claimed a fine citizen of Almonte, Saturday afternoon, August 27th, in the person of Rev William Aird who had been pastor of the local Baptist Church for the last twenty years. He was 67 years of age and had been ill only a short time. Born and educated in Scotland, Mr Aird came to this country in 1910 and in the succeeding year he married Alice Reid who had come out from Hawick, Scotland, and was then residing in Toronto. Twenty Years Here
During his career as a clergyman, Mr Aird was stationed at Ohsweken, on the Indian Reserve near Brantford for a time. When World War One broke out he went Overseas on active service, remaining there through the entire struggle, 1914-18. On his return, he was appointed to a charge at Bentinck, Ont, where he remained from 1919 until 1924; from there he went to Maxville and ministered to that congregation from 1924 until 1929. In the latter year he removed to Almonte and was in charge to the Church here for the succeeding twenty years. At the time of his death he was secretary-treasurer of the Canada Central Association of Baptist Churches; secretary of the local Ministerial Association; chairman of the Library Board and a member of the Lawn Bowling Club. For many years he was chaplain of the Almonte Branch of the Canadian Legion but retired from this post several years ago when his disagreed with the organization over a matter of conviction. Mr Aird is survived by his wife, the former Alice Reid of Hawick, Scotland, and two daughters, Mrs Earle Simpson (Jean) of Almonte and Miss Helen of Napanee. There is also a sister, Mrs A. Scott, in Peterborough and a brother, Robert in Hawick, Scotland. Kathryn Simpson of Almonte is a grandchild.
Funeral On Monday
The funeral was held from the family home on Country Street to the Baptist Church on Monday afternoon. Rev A.J. Milligan of Sault Ste Marie was in charge of the service assisted by the following local clergymen, Rev T.R. Hutcheson, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church; Rev T. DeCourcy Rayner, of the Presbyterian Church; Rev H.L. Morrison, of Trinity United Church; Rev Frank Anthony, of Carleton Place Baptist Church, and Rev Mr Brock of Lanark. Among the floral tributes were pieces from the local Baptist Church, the Bowling Club, the Library Board, and the Ministerial Association; Pembroke Baptist Church, and Carleton Place Baptist Church. Friends were present from Renfrew, Arnprior, Lanark, and Maxville.
A Fine Citizen
Members of the Almonte Ministerial Association and his colleges from Carleton Place and Lanark acted as honourary pallbearers. The active pallbearers were: Messrs Sid Lawford, J.D. McCallum, A.W. Smith, Geo Gemmill, H.B. Kirkland and Graham Simpson. Mr Aird was a citizen who will be missed by his fellow townsmen. He had many good qualities of mind and heart. A faithful servant of the Christian Church, he leaves a fine memory behind him. He took an interest in the good things of the community always supporting those movements that were calculated to advance the public interest. He enjoyed sports, especially lawn bowling, and was an all around pleasant man to be associated with.
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1882 - 1949 (67 years)
