WILLIAM MCLEOD

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WILLIAM MCLEOD

We are deeply sorry to announce the passing of William Norman Hamelin (Billy) McLeod on July 4, 2024 in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Predeceased by his mother Catherine Anne (Cathy) McLeod and his sister Catherine Christina Hamelin (Catea) McLeod, he is survived by his father, William Hamelin. He is also survived by his grandparents, Reta Owens and Norman Beattie, his uncle William (BJ) McLeod, his aunt Jennifer Davis and their son Vaughn McLeod.

Billy was born on July 12, 1993, in Slave Lake, Alberta. He attended Sargent Park School, Our Lady of Victory School, Saint Paul’s High School and Daniel McIntyre High School in Winnipeg and graduated from Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan. After graduation he worked on oil rigs near Estevan.

Billy was smart, outgoing, a born performer, a natural athlete, funny and fun to be with. He was good at whatever sport he played, including hockey, baseball and football though his favourite sport was basketball.

From age 5 to age 9 he was enrolled in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in jazz, tap, ballet and musical theatre. In 2001 he was one of the child performers in RWB’s annual Christmas production of the Nutcracker. He also took theatre classes at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People.

Tragically, Billy fell victim to drug addiction, and this led directly to his early death. In his last message to family and friends, he wrote:

“I have experienced love and have been very blessed to have amazing people in my life. To everyone who cares to listen, no matter what happens always take it as a blessing that has come directly from God. It may seem like you’re in hell, but that’s only to make you strong enough to fly with the Angels. Spread positivity, love, and laughter.”

A memorial gathering will be held in Billy’s honour on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion Street, Winnipeg, in the Salon Taché on the main floor.



Parking is free in the Norwood Hotel lot for those attending the gathering. If you are using the lot please provide us with your license number.

Billy’s ashes, together with those of his sister will be buried alongside their mother’s ashes in Burnside Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to momsstoptheharm.com or to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 14, 2024, Sep 14, 2024