Willem Smeda, 79 years, of Paris, Ontario, passed into the glory of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
early Thursday morning, January 17, 2019, surrounded by his family. His courage these last years has
strengthened us all and we thank all those who have shared this journey with our husband, father and
Opa. Willem is deeply missed by his wife of almost 60 years, Elly; by his children Lynnda (Mario) Roy, Carolyn (Dale) Nicholson, Lisa (Jacques) Tittley, Craig (Kim) Smeda, Tanya (Scott) Reynolds, Christa (Channy)
Muhn, Brent (Tanya) Smeda, Erica (Dave) Miller, Heidi (Kevin) Robdrup; by his grandchildren Jean Marc
(Naomi), Jérémie (Amy), Guillaume (Ruth), Mariève (Guillaume), Benjamin, Maxime, Kendra (Ryan),
Courtney (Tom), Brooke, Thomas, Spencer, Braden, Jakob, Tyler, Nicholas, Cornelia (Dalton), Noah,
Megan, Chae, Olivia, Avery, Titus, Elijah, Reit, Halle, Parker, Georgia, Kylie (Ryan), Isaac, Samuel, Ella,
Kennedy and great grandchildren Élodie, Kaïla, Anthony, Maéva, Olivia, Elliot, Adèle, Ellyson, Thomas,
Tenley, Case, Everly, Portia, Emmy and this year looking forward to welcoming little Tom. He loved and
knew the loss of his dear grandson, Jordan Nicholson and son in law, Mark Preece. Now he is reunited
with them as they stand in the beautiful presence of God Himself. Willem has been released from the
pain of his physical body and now knows the amazing freedom of eternal life in Christ. We rejoice in his
joy. We are thankful for the immeasurable gift he has been to each of us. Strong, quiet, smart, wise,
perseverant, hardworking, humble and giving, always inspiring us to be true to the gifts God has so
graciously given each of us. He has fought the good fight. We seek solace in the peace he now knows.
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” I Cor. 15:53.
The youngest son of Dutch immigrant parents, Jan Reit and Jantje Smeda, Willem was ever proud to be a
Canadian, in this new welcoming land of beauty and possibility. He never took that gift for granted and
worked hard to build a life for his family. His roughened hands and masterfully crafted home were
testament to his commitment to always give his all and a lifetime as a general contractor. He was proud
to be brother to Jennie (Kees) Roorda, Jan (Feikje), Maaikje, Roelof (Anne), Auktje (Jelle) van der Kooi;
son-in-law to Thomas and Grace van Gink and brother-in-law to Irene (Doug) English, Cobie (Jim) Smith,
Tom (Marlene) and uncle to many loved nieces and nephews.
The love and care from his staff, now family, at Park Lane gave him a sense of home and their deep wells
of good humour brought a smile to his heart day-by-day. Our gratitude to each of you. We have been
blessed with the care of many gifted and devoted doctors throughout and our hearts are full. The
embrace of beloved friends has held us up. Our thanks to you cannot be measured. It is our desire to
continue Willem’s legacy as we move forward each day, striving to be who God intended us to be. May
God richly bless you this day, as He has, our family.
Also, the family would like to extend sincerest thanks to the staff at Dennis Toll Funeral Home for being
gracious and accommodating during this difficult time. Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, 4:00-7:00
pm at Dennis Toll Funeral Home on 55 Charing Cross, Brantford. A celebration of Willem’s life will be
held Monday, January 21, 11 am at Central Baptist Church, 300 Fairview Drive, Brantford. Reception to
follow. Willem will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Brantford in a private interment for the
family. Memorial donations may be made to The Mark Preece Foundation in honour of much-loved son-
in-law, Mark, to the charity Speroway or to the Gideons. Cards available at Dennis Toll.







Willem Smeda – A History.
Born in Groningen, Holland on April 11, 1939, Willem was the youngest son of a busy farming
family of 3 girls and 3 boys. Willem was a spirited little boy, known on occasion to give his
teachers fits. He was also his mother’s pride and joy. He was often found hiding in her skirts,
seeking protection from his older brothers, who loved to involve him in their playful antics. He
was once seen flying over a bumpy field in the bottom of a little wooden cart, tied to the leash
of their family dog. After enduring WWII, the Smeda family made their way to Canada in 1951
when Willem was only 12. It wasn’t long before he distinguished himself as a hard worker,
helping his family work off their sponsorship to Canada on Holland Marsh’s beautiful fields. He
could pick carrots and onions faster than his father and brothers. In Language Classes, any
English learned was picked up from perusing National Geographic magazines. He also taught
himself to play the harmonica, accordion and organ by ear when he wasn’t helping his family on
the farm. Fast forward a few years and he is sitting under a tree at Puslinch Lake near Galt with
the Christian Reformed Church’s Boys and Girls Club, when along comes a pretty young thing
named Elly van Gink. Completely enamored, Willem said not a word to Elly, but won her heart
by playing her a song on his accordion. Later that day, he worked up the courage to ask Elly to
partner with him in a three-legged race, assuring her they would win - if he carried her. This
innocent meeting would lead to a lifetime of love, a marriage of almost 60 years, 9 children,
loving spouses for each of their children, 33 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Anyone
who knew Willem well, knows he was a man that knew the value of hard work. Graduating
from his days of picking carrots and onions, he worked hard at many jobs, including
landscaping, farming, windows and doors, bookkeeping and his own construction and
renovation company, Smeda Home Improvements. He taught each of their children to believe
they could accomplish anything they set their minds to and that they should always work hard,
love well and honour God in all they do. Together, Willem and Elly offered a life of service to
God in the role of children’s church leader, youth leader, Sunday School teacher, usher, deacon,
counter. He was a man who was willing to give of himself. Still, a more stubborn Dutch man has
not graced this earth. He said it, he meant it. It was done. “Wait until your father gets home”
was a powerful statement that had his children minding their manners, most of the time. There
may or may not have been a church pew incident when one of his children slipped below pew
bench level and away from his father’s keen eye during a Sunday morning service. Said child
then returned with an assortment of stolen ladies’ high heel shoes. Soon after, the station
wagon pulled up to the house, the child beat his dad to the door and the chase began – Brent,
for some reason, armed with a Nancy Drew stuffed in his shorts. When the spanking came, that
well-placed Nancy Drew provided good protection. Family life was good. Willem was always in
his spot at the head of the table at suppertime, even when he had to leave immediately after to
work into the night. The family ended the meal by reading a Bible story, or a devotional,
together. It was non-negotiable and wonderful. Afterwards, Willem, Elly and their children
would close the night, praying or singing together before dishes, homework and work. A life
filled with God, family, work and love. A great man, Willem approached his illness with dignity
and gave his family the gift of his love, despite his suffering. His legacy is far greater than he will
ever know, and his quiet strength will continue to bind his family in the years to come.


Donations can be made to
https://markpreecehouse.ca/donate/
www.speroway.com
https://gideons.ca