Brampton Citizen of the Year and Sports Hall of Fame founder Bill Burrell dead at 96
Published February 7, 2022 at 4:12 pm
World War II veteran, postal worker and Bampton Sports Hall of Fame founder Bill Burrell has died at 96 years old.
Born in 1926 on January 27, William Edward Burrell helped build the Bampton Sports Hall of Fame and was a former president of the Brampton Minor Hockey and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, according to his obituary.
Before becoming one of Brampton’s first six letter carriers for Canada Post, Burrell flew more than 30 missions with the Royal Canadian Air Force Bomber Command after embellishing his age and enlisting in 1943.
He flew missions over Europe in a heavy bomber, returning home to Brampton before the age of 19.
Burrell was made Brampton Citizen of the Year in 2005 and was the Poppy Campaign Chairman, raising over $700,000 which supports Veterans and their families.
Burrell was the recipient of the Paul Harris Award through Brampton Rotary for his “outstanding contribution to the community,” his obituary reads.
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A memorial service will be held for immediate family only.
Those who wish to remember Burrell are asked to make donations to either Brampton Hockey and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, or the National Poppy Trust Fund.
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