Myrel White

Myrel passed away peacefully in his 97th year on September 27th, 2026, at Granite Ridge Retirement Residence after a courageous 25-year battle with cancer. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years Reta May (Kirkness) White (August 24, 1930 – July 19, 2004). Devoted father of sons William, Ronald (Diana) and daughter Elaine (late Bob). Myrel leaves grandchildren Brittany, Augusta, Jade and Burke and many nieces and nephews.

Myrel was born on August 21, 1930, first born son and second child of Joseph Robert White (1906-1991) and Mona Irene (O’Conner) White (1912-1990) of Williamsport Road. Predeceased by sisters Bertha (2018) (late Bill); Gloria (2023) (late Fred) and Bonnie (2002) and brothers Arthur (2023) (late Alice), Ross (2019) (Betty), Lorne (2016) (Darlene) and Wayne (1951).

Myrel grew up on the Williamsport Road where he spent his last 70 years in the home that he and his uncle George built with just a hammer, square and handsaw. In 1951, he met Reta Kirkness, the love of his life. They married on the first day of summer – June 21, 1952.

As a young man he roamed the lakes, rivers, hills and valleys of beautiful Williamsport, accompanied by his faithful dogs Lad and Whitey. He enjoyed the company of many cousins and siblings and made friends that he still has to this day – more than 80 years later. In these early days he found his love for music- particularly playing the violin. He enjoyed many musical evenings with his cousin Harold Thompson and friends Claude Stroud, Ernie Crooks and Ed Belfoy. Father was a fan of Don Messer’s Jubilee and other artists like Emmylou Harris, Mac Wiseman, Doc and Chickie Williams. In the early days, he also played on a regular radio show with friend Claude Stroud.

Father had a gift with young children, enthralling them with bear stories and his elaborate tales of the fictitious, black-faced fox. He loved the animals of the forest and was always concerned about their well being given the harsh Muskoka winters. He enjoyed the family gatherings around hunting season and the many fishing outings with his sons and son-in-law Bob Woodley.

As Father settled into family life, he became a “hockey dad” enjoying watching his sons playing for the Huntsville and university teams. He was a regular viewer of Hockey Night in Canada.

Myrel was an immensely talented luthier making violins of exceptional quality. Father was also a voice of the pioneer days in Huntsville able to recount the history of the settlement of Williamsport with names and personalities of settlers now long forgotten.

Please join us to remember and celebrate his life at Billingsley Funeral Home, 430 Ravenscliffe Rd, Huntsville. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and on Friday, October 2, 2026 from 12:00 pm until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 pm.  The burial will take place following the funeral service at Hutcheson Memorial Cemetery. Reception to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 232,  21 Veterans Way, Huntsville.

Donations in remembrance can be made to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation at https://huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca/, Andy’s House Hospice at https://www.hospicemuskoka.com/andyshouse or the Canadian Cancer Society at https://cancer.ca/.