Bill was born May 20, 1926, the second child of Catherine (nee Gushue) and Jim (P. James) Maloney of Sweet Bay, Bonavista Bay. He grew up in a house without electricity, plumbing, or radio. His father was a carpenter; his mother had the only store in the village.
Bill grew to love the outdoors through his chores of hauling ice in the winter, bringing wood to school, fishing, and working with his dad to take care of the land and the few animals they had.
When he was 15, he opted out of going to school and got hired as a cook’s helper at a cookhouse for Atlas Construction Company on the American side of the runway in Gander, NL. A couple of years later, he worked with the Americans in Gander as a general laborer, driver, and bowling alley operator. In 1946, he went to work with American Overseas Airlines (AOA). Somewhere during that time, he earned the nickname “Hotshot.”
When all the airlines consolidated ground crews a year later, Bill went to work with Allied Aviation doing whatever was necessary—customs, work, import and export parts, manuals, honey buckets, and driving a bus. His supervisor was surprised to find out that he had been driving the bus for six months – without a driver’s license. A while later, Bill met and later married Christina Quinlan. During their 30 years of marriage, they were blessed with 7 wonderful children (their words!). In his spare time, Bill drove a beer truck for Gordon Gosse. The older children sometimes got to drive with him in his deliveries around the bay.
In 1965, when Gander was no longer needed as a fueling site for Atlantic flights, Bill and his family moved to Happy Valley Goose Bay to service aircraft. In 1975 he went back to Gander to work with Eastern Aviation. He later transferred to Halifax to train people to service Eastern Provincial Airlines. During this time, he also handled a contract with Laker Airways. Some of his children had the opportunity to gain airline experience during that time.
About 1978, Bill transferred back to Gander to work with Shell IMP to manage their refueling business. During his 12 years with IMP, he worked with the Russians to upgrade their fuel to Canadian standards, and to make the business profitable.
When his wife Chris died in 1980, Bill bought a piece of land in Sweet Bay at the end of the village and close to the edge of the water. He built a roadway with bucket and shovel and later moved a mobile home on to the property. Family members have fond memories of lobster and crab bakes on the beach. A couple of years later, he met and married Marie Ryan thereby gaining lots of family who would often visit them in their Southern Bay home. Marie passed away in 2016.
Bill loved family get-togethers, hunting, fishing, and working outdoors. He was often the camp cook on his hunting and fishing expeditions. In his later years, he especially enjoyed going fishing with his nephew, Paul Dooley.
Bill is predeceased by his parents, his siblings Ray, Marg (Dooley), and Pat, his two spouses Chris (Quinlan), and Marie (Ryan) and his son Kevin. Celebrating his life with fond memories are his younger brother Felix (95) and his sister Rita (90), his children: Carmel (Olds), Linda, (Gander), Marly, (Calgary), Chris (Airdrie), Pegge (Lantz), and Betty (Elmsdale) along with the Ryan families, and his many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Many thanks to the staff of Gander Long Term Care for the excellent care and compassion they have provided during Bill’s stay.
Funeral service will be held in the Roman Catholic Church, Summerville at 1:30 p.m. on May 20, 2025. Interment of ashes will follow at the cemetery. Family and friends are welcome for coffee and tea at the Summerville fire hall following the interment.
In lieu of flowers, Bill would like for you to step outside, breathe the fresh air, and enjoy some family time. Life is precious – make the most of it!
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Terry Dooley says
April 6, 2025 at 6:58 pmCondolences to Bill’s extended family.
Linda Nolan says
April 7, 2025 at 1:56 pmWe loved Bill. My parents have many fond memories of him. When I was in Clarenville I’d stop in and see him to say hello. A wonderful man. I would like to know when the celebration of life will be held. I know my mom would like to come too. We are so sorry and saddened by his passing.
Linda Cox says
April 12, 2025 at 2:31 pmLinda dad’s celebration of life will be on what would be his 99th birthday on May 20th in Summerville ..funeral prayers at the church, then to the cemetery for burial. We will be having a tea at the fire hall after. Note, that is MAY,..
Betty Hansen says
April 6, 2025 at 7:14 pmLinny and family : My deepest condolences to you and your family in the loss of your dear father. Saying goodbye to a loved one is one of life’s most difficult tasks. Your memories will always be with you , therefore so will your father .
Verna (Cheeks) Blandford says
April 7, 2025 at 5:39 pmLinda & Family: Sending condolences to you and all your family on the passing of your dad. Cherish all your great memories. Verna
Marina Pitcher says
April 7, 2025 at 8:45 pmCondolences to all Bill’s friends & family. He was a neighbour & friend for years. Had many a game of cards & lunch afterwards. God bless
Sandra Cardwell says
April 8, 2025 at 4:08 pmWell look at Bill’s smiling face. I can’t recall a single time where he didn’t leave me with a smile on my face. Thought I would share one of Dad’s (Norm White, Elmsdale NS) favourite stories to tell, which always left him laughing.
Dad invited Bill over with, “I have a couple of bottles of Bacardi, come on over.” As Bill sat down Norm made a big production out of setting down the two glasses, putting ice in them and then he pulled out two-single shot bottles of rum. Poured them and waited for a reaction…nothing.
The next day Bill walked across the street with a big winter parka on (oh yes, it was summer), and then casually said it was his turn to pour the drinks. As they sat, laughed and chatted Bill kept finding new pockets to pull out a couple of single shot bottles at a time. Never to be outdone with a prank and always available for story telling.
I’m thankful that we moved in across the street from one another, and so very sorry for your loss. Love to each of you.
Sandra Cardwell
Glen Cooper says
April 8, 2025 at 8:11 pmTo Linda and all of Bill’s family, sincere condolences from Sadie and I. I have many memories of great yarns with Bill. Hotshot was his nic name, but he was always Bill to me. The last conversation I had with him was at Deadman’s Pond in Gander, not that many years ago actually. I asked him if he remembered the year he first came to work with the airlines in Gander. REMEMBER? Did he ever.!!! He proceeded to tell me about the first, or one of the first aircraft he serviced. It was an overseas flight of course, a DC-4. His vivid memory of the events were astounding, and true I am certain – because of the detail he went into. Such a pleasant gentleman. 99 years I believe! WOW. You had a great run at ‘er my friend! May you Rest In Peace Sir. Godspeed, Bill . . .
Glen Cooper (Gander)
James Nolan says
April 9, 2025 at 3:15 pmI will never forget his laugh, he always had a smile on his face. Rest in peace Bill
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