Glen "Roy" Barkley

Glen "Roy" Barkley, a lifetime resident of the Williamsburg area, died suddenly at home on Feb. 21, 2007. He was 69.
He was born in Williamsburg Township on Dec. 1, 1937 to his parents Willis and Clara Barkley (nee Paul). He grew up in the Williamsburg area along with his 10 brothers and sisters, and attended public school in Boucks Hill. He quit school at an early age to help his parents raise his younger siblings. His first job was at the Boucks Hill Feed Store where he worked as a labourer before taking a job working on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
He married Emily Lewis on Nov. 8, 1956 at Morrisburg, and together they raised two sons Steven and Gary. Following the completions of the Seaway project he went to work at Pinkus Tire in Williamsburg where he remained until March 30, 1969 when he took a job as a historical agricultural supervisor at Upper Canada Village. He worked at the village until his retirement on Dec. 1, 2002, following almost 33 years of service.
In order to supplement his income, he accepted a job working as a bouncer at Paul's Dance Hall in Williamsburg. Because he was a powerful, no-nonsense type of guy, bouncing was a perfect job for him, and for many years he served as a bouncer at many local dances and community events where he earned the respect of one and all.
Roy was a large, imposing man, but underneath the tough exterior there was a kind man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. He coached a local group of ball players from childhood to the time that they were grown men and this team became affectionately known as "Roy's Boys." Roy was an excellent coach, and he took his team to the Ontario championships on a number of occasions where they did very well.
He was a man who loved to socialize, and he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed playing cards, camping, and participating in harness racing, both as an owner and observer. He loved to travel the roads, and his daily visits to the Whitteker Meat Market in Williamsburg are going to missed by the staff there who enjoyed Roy's sense of humour.
He is survived by his dear companion Linda Casselman, his sons Steve of Boucks Hill, and Gary and his wife Sheila of Boucks Hill, and by his mother-in-law Sadie Lewis. He was a dear brother to Dwaine (Dawn) of Richmond, Gordon and Lee both of Ottawa, Carl (Carol) of RR1 Chesterville, Catherine Dennison (Lorne) of Cornwall, Betty Henderson (Tom) of RR2 Chesterville, Muriel Yalden (Bert) of RR2 Williamsburg, and Elaine McInnes (Don) of Campbell River, B.C. He was predeceased by two brothers Ray and Ellery. He will be sadly missed by his grandsons Jamie, Scott, Shane, Matt, and Connor, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg on Feb. 23. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on Feb. 24 with Rev. Geoff Howard officiating. Interment followed at New Union Cemetery in Williamsburg. The pallbearers were Jamie Barkley, Scott Barkley, Charles Barkley, Rick Barkley, Gerald Barkley, Glen Whitteker, and Keith Baldwin. The honourary pallbearer was Gerald Scott.
Donations to the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.