London's Town Crier laid to rest
More than 100 people braved the rain Friday afternoon as they gathered outside the O’Neil Funeral Home on William Street in London, Ont. to remember Bill Paul, the Town Crier.
He passed away from natural causes on Oct. 9 at the age of 66.
“I know there’s a great hole in my life,” says Ray Clancy, a close friend of Paul’s for 50 years. “I’m sorry that he’s gone, he thought we were here to co-operate and to be good to each other.”
From the funeral home, a long procession was formed behind Western University’s Marching Band as friends walked through downtown London.
For decades, Paul hosted a radio talk show on Fanshawe’s 106.9 The X. He also operated Laff Guards Entertainment and participated in countless fundraising events. But for most people he will always be remembered as London’s Town Crier.
“He always made connections with people,” says long-time friend Scott Knight. “He didn’t care what your background was.”
Paul would call 9,000 people a year on their birthday, making an average of 25 calls a day.
Clancy adds, “He just loved people.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The World Health Organization said on Friday that the current overall public health risk posed by H5N1 bird flu virus is low, but for those with exposure to infected birds or animals the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.