Very sorry for your loss. I lived in Chicago in the 1960s and still live in a suburb north of there. I grew up following the Blackhawks and read about Bill's time with the team. Hockey was big part of life from the beginning to the end. Sending prayers for the family.

I have fond memories of hanging out with Bill and a pack of guys in a stretching area at the Banker's Hall Club in the early weekday mornings. Bill often called me '77', a nod to my jersey number from my Ultimate Frisbee days, until he learned my name. Bill and the guys were often in mid-conversation by the time I arrived and by 'mid-conversation', I mean 'mid-story by Bill', the majority of the time. He would always pause the story to welcome me into the fold, and I had many laughs with him and the guys. He was ever-so-gracious, and it was a delight to watch the celebration of life remotely, as it reinforced my great memories of him. To his family, please accept my condolences.

Dear Nancy and family,

Our heartfelt thoughts are with all of you. How fortunate we are to have shared so many years of friendship and fun filled memories. May Bill's legacy live on forever.

Love,

Mickey Whiteside and family

Bill was such a special friend to me and I will cherish the memories I have of him. He was so very kind to all that he knew and his larger than live personality was only exceeded by his friendship and generosity. My best wishes to Nancy and the entire Hay family

Our warmest thoughts and prayers to the Hay family.

Bill himself was truly larger than life. For us, we see the incredible legacy Bill has left in such fine children, their spouses, and their grandchildren. They are people like him, with strong character and big hearts that light up a room and go out of their way to help others who can't always help themselves so well. Just like Bill. He is gone and that is very sad, but we don't have to look far to see his influence through the Hay, Fagerheim and Brown clans and everyone they warmly touch. Thank you to Bill for his influence, and to his great family for taking the best of Bill and continuing to amplify that influence in our community.

Love,

Jeff and Natalie Lawson

Nancy, sending heartfelt condolences to you and your family....Bill sounded like a such a wonderful man and an amazing athlete.

Also, deep sympathy and condolences, for your beloved son Donald .

Sending love and healing prayers.

Joanne Gerlitz

Our condolences to Nancy and family.

Bill will always hold a special place in my heart for all the laughter and compassion he shared. Bill worked hard and expected the same from others but he never forgot to ask how you were and how your family was and they were not just words, he sincerely cared. It was easy to know when Bill was in the office with his booming voice and hearty laugh. It always made me smile even if I wasn't part of the discussion. When Bill would share stories of time spent with Donald during trips in the van, Christmas deliveries and snacking on red jelly beans, he glowed. Donald was so special to Bill. We were sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathy, but believe Bill will continue to look after him.

My most cherished moments with Bill are when he put on his Santa suit and brought joy to all ages. His delivery of prizes to so many people every year and the joy that brought him and those around him truly made the spirit of Christmas come alive. He will be missed.

Yvonne & Larry Bergmann

Our heartfelt condolences to Nancy and the entire family during this difficult time.

We were deeply saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. Bill was a cherished friend of the Seaman families for many years and remained a steadfast supporter right to the very end. His efforts were instrumental in helping my father, Doc, receive a posthumous induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame—a contribution we will forever hold dear. I will always treasure the memory of Bill visiting our home as Santa Claus when we were kids, creating a lifetime of cherished moments.

Nancy, we’re sending heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the loss of Bill and your beloved son Donald. We have many great memories of time spent over the decades with Bill and you through the Saddledome, Calgary Stampede, Hockey Canada and the Calgary Flames. We regret we are out of town and unable to attend the celebration of Bill’s life on November 21st but will be thinking of you and your family as you navigate the days ahead.

Steve and Rene Edwards

I was Bills banker for a number of years. We were both Regina boys. We had a time share at Fairmont and when our kids were quite small we visited them at their cottage. Bill was always so happy to take Donald for the special quiet Christmas shopping at the Calgary North Hill shopping centre. I dated Donna a couple of times in Regina. Bill was one of the kindest people I ever met. I was administration officer at the Royalite branch of RBC and we used to invite the Hay family down to the branch to watch the stampede parade as it went right by our big windows. Bill was so much like his father. Soft spoken and most kind. God’s blessings. Ted Holtby.

Our deepest condolences go out to Nancy and the family. Bill was an amazing person with a smell always on his face. He will be missed. Love his barbers Tom and Francesco Mancuso

Saint-Laurent Family.

Dear Nancy and family. It is with great sadness we learn’t of Bill’s passing. You all share a special place in our hearts during these times, our deepest condolences. Dollard and Jessie always had a smile on their face when talking about your time together and were appreciative of your friendship and care for David and Patrick when they lived in Calgary. Frequent check-ins and great memories created. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. David for the Saint-Laurent family.

My sincere sympathy. I send thoughts and prayers. Bill was a terrific person. During my time chairing the Hockey Canada Board, I had the pleasure of being in his company very often. He treated me like a dear friend and called me kid even though I was only several years his junior. It was always laughs and stories by the hour I know you have so many special times and memories to help through this difficult time. They don't make them like Bill anymore. I will light a candle in his memory at mass this Sun.

Sending our deepest condolences to Nancy and the entire Hay family. Bill was larger than life and a good man to my father Umberto, and mother Maria. He would spend hours sitting in our back tailor shop, sharing incredible stories and insight into his life experiences. Walking upstairs for a coffee with Bill was like walking with a celebrity, he was known and loved by so many. So many laughs and memories with Mr. Bill Hay, he will be missed. God Bless.

Umberto, Maria, & Claudio Migliaccio

Sending our deepest condolences to Nancy and the entire Hay family. Bill will surely be missed. Like others have said he was larger than life and was so kind. He kept me on my toes though when he would call to do some transaction on his account but also kept me laughing. It was such a pleasure doing business with him. Sincerely, Marion & Doug Andrus

Sending the entire Hay family thoughts and prayers as you mourn Bill's passing. I got to know Bill while working at the WHL. We had several coffees together and I loved hearing the stories of his years playing for the Chicago Blackhawks. Bill always had a smile on his face and and seemed to know everyone associated with hockey. He was a great mentor to young players and was never short on advice about how to be a better player and a better person. I miss his so much.

Sending our condolences from the Harris family. We were lucky to have you as neighbours all these years, and thank you for taking the time to have a relationship with our newest members. You were a special man who helped an individual or his community, and that’s a special talent. Nancy will be taken care of.

Sending lots of love to the family.

Victoria Harris-Lang

Sincere Condolences to Nancy and Family. As a teammate at Colorado College,I was impressed with his humility and kindness as well as his hockey ability.

Ron Villeneuve

There was always a lot of laughter when Dad and his best buddy Bill were together. Bill was larger then life to me growing up and a huge influence.To many great stories to mention. He did so may great things in the hockey world without being the centre of attention.Uncle Bill will be sadly missed. Our condolences to the whole family.

Tim Mooney

Heart broken to hear this. Sincere condolences to Nancy and the family.

Linda McLean

Please accept my condolences on the passing of Bill. I worked with him while I was at Hockey Canada and always enjoyed his visits and stories. I was ill when I retired and lost touch, but never forgot his kindness and friendship. I still have a cactus he brought back from Arizona. He lives on in my heart and memories. Janice (Wasilew) Lochhead.