Obituary of William Paul Sambell

William Paul (Bill) Sambell passed away peacefully at Chartwell Retirement Residence, London, on August 28, 2025, on his own terms, with his family by his side. Predeceased by his parents Albert (Skip) Sambell (1910-1983) and Evelyn Tolchard Sambell (1912-1980); also by his beloved wife Harriet (Pudge) Parsons Sambell (2012), his adopted sister Geraldine (2017) and his son Leigh (2017) (Lori). Survived by his son Andrew Paul (Angela) and his daughter Catherine Anne, adored granddaughters Corinne, Leanne (Benji Stinson) and Emily (Mike Murtagh), Brienne (Wesley Berman) and Ketrina (Joel Richer); and great grandchildren Taygen, Lucas, Quinn, Wyatt, Charlotte, Abigail, and Kali. For Bill, family was always closest to his heart.

Bill was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital, London ON, on August 12, 1936. He grew up in the NE part of the city, attending Knollwood Park Public School and Boyle Memorial Public School, followed by HB Beal Secondary School and Ryerson Institute of Technology, graduating in 1958. While still in high school and university, Bill joined the RCAF and trained for four years as an aircraft welder. Before retirement in 1995, Bill worked as a skilled technician for Elliott Electric in Ingersoll, the Bell Telephone Company of Canada in London, the University of Western Ontario, Bell Communications, finishing with his own company London MultiTech. Bill and Pudge loved the cottage home that Bill built on their property on the Ausable River south of Grand Bend. They owned the property from 1973 to 2019, and for a number of years, it was their principal residence.

Bill was instrumental in organizing annual Sambell family reunions over the years. In the 1950s, the clan numbered over 100 individuals, and a joyous time was had together. Bill is survived by cousin Bernard Sambell with whom he enjoyed many cycling and swimming adventures. Also survived by special friend Alberta Hudie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.”