It is with sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Little on December 1, 2025, in Victoria, BC while together with several members of his family.
Bill was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on November 16, 1926, the son of William Stanley Little and Alice May Little (nee Brown). He very recently celebrated his 99th birthday surrounded by family and friends. The joy of that occasion is now matched by the joy of remembering a long life well- lived.
Bill was the beloved husband of Margaret Ellen Little (nee Nagle), deceased. They were married for 61 years. He was the proud father of six boys: Kenneth (Teresa, deceased), Douglas (Susan), Patrick, Wayne, deceased, (Elise), James (Katherine), and Daneal (Christine). The proud “Poppy” of William (Stephanie), Nathan (Jodie), Rory (Holly), Brodie (Erika), Nadine (Mark), Elizabeth (David), Eric (Courtney), Nicole (Braden), Kate (Tanner). He was the loving great-grandfather of Gavin, Mackenzie, Sadie, Dion, Aiden, Owen, Oriana, Tamsen, Makenna, Willie, and Archie.
Bill started his family and career in Saskatoon after he received his engineering degree at the Chicago Institute of Technology. He married Margaret (Marg) on July 7,1951. Bill co-created Little-Borland Construction Company in 1950 and successfully owned and managed it until 1969. Little-Borland is reputed to have built nearly one third of the residential sector of the city during that period. Building houses in Saskatoon was Bill’s early passion. He was a gifted home designer and deeply committed to the development of new Saskatoon neighbourhoods, to the causes of community advancement, and to city social improvement. Bill moved his family to Victoria, BC in 1970. It was a brave move, uprooting his family, selling his company, and leaving his close friends. He worked for Pacific Pile Driving in Victoria until he started Roswill Holdings, a successful prize-winning construction company operating in the luxury housing market in Victoria. He remained the director of Roswill until his retirement.
Once retired, Bill and Marg turned their deep passion for family life to cultivating close and lasting connections with their children and, most enthusiastically, with their grandchildren. Family was at the centre of everything they did. It was their source of joy and strength. They dedicated their lives to nurturing a strong sense of love, care, and commitment to the family and friends, to adventure, and to enjoyment. There were endless recreational family projects: holiday camping trips, road trips, hikes, boating adventures, and nature activities. Wherever Bill and Marg were, they became the enthusiastic cheering squad for multiple sports and arts activities of their children and grandchildren. Their home was a constant hive of activity and celebration, and they always extended a warm welcome to relatives and friends.
At his core Bill was a storyteller. He cultivated the art of a trickster raconteur and took great delight in spinning yarns for his family and friends. Bill also started sketching, carving, and taking up various art pursuits in retirement, mostly as an extension of his story telling, filling his children’s homes with his works of art and craft.
Bill’s legacy and spirit will live through his example of love, laughter, and friendship. His motto was “Never make a bad friend”, which guided his approach to life. Bill could strike up a conversation with almost anyone and made many friends easily. Many friendships lasted a lifetime and proved to sustain him throughout his life. His example has provided his family and those who knew him with a model of how to live life with consideration, curiosity, joy, and kindness.
A Memorial Mass Celebrating Bill’s life will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church in Mill Bay on December 18, 2025, at 2:00 pm, with a short reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mill Bay Food Bank (www.cmsfoodbank.org) with which Marg and Bill were committed volunteers.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Little” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Ruth Cook
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Jim Sprague Fondly remembering the many years that our family enjoyed with Nanny and Poppy ; they were like an extra set of grandparents for all of us. Bill designed the new addition to our house and was there while it was built, puffing on his pipe, criticizing when required. I remember when he witched the well for Jim and Cindy’s new house. He was very confident we’d hit good water quickly but when the drill got to 400 feet with no water I took Bill’s pipe away and told him he’d only get it back when we hit water. Eventually we did and he said “See? Right where I said!”
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Patrick Nagle Heartfelt condolences to all the Little family. I have very fond memories of Uncle Bill from times spent with Margie and Bill and the boys in Saskatoon all those years ago. Was lucky enough to connect with them again in BC. I remember Bill’s patience and sense of humour. Thinking of you all.
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Laila Pera Bill and Margaret were such prized and wonderful neighbors at Burnum Park. Their sweet and smiling countenance were always appreciated. I send my warmest regards to their family and friends and feel truly blessed to have known them.
Much love and respect.
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LEOLA FAST Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of “Poppy”. This week I was looking at my photos of January 2025 and have fond memories of my visit with you in Victoria. My memories include making Quince juice with that “large machine”, of faithfully attending church with your dad, of delivering jam orders with your dad and listening to his many stories, feeding Bernie “under the table”, going for ice cream with him to name only a few things! May your memories of him sustain you during this difficult time.
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Tom Moore It is with great sadness that we’ve heard of Bill’s passing. For many years, up till our parents passing, Bill and Marg were a fixture in the Moore creating so many memories and stories of fun times on Dorthy Mae ll at BBQ’s, playing dice or Saturna visits. Echos of those sounds resonating in me as I write this note. It was such an honour and immense pleasure to have had Bill and Marg in our lives. From all us Moore’s to the Littles our deepest condolences on Bill’s passing and the end of an era.
The Moore family
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Nikolaus A Fast Lucky to have met your dad, James. Our sympathies to you and Katherine.
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jessie herringer Condolences to you all for Uncle Bill’s passing – he was a very gentle soul. Great memories of visiting Auntie Margie and Uncle Bill at their house in Victoria – had loads of fun in the pool. Wonderful that he was surrounded by family when he died and sounds like he had a pretty amazing life
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Coby Romaniuk Fond memories with Bill in the dining room, listening to wonderful stories about his life.
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Kathleen Herringer Herzog So sorry to hear about Uncle Bill. Sounds like he and Auntie Margie had a great life together. I remember visiting with you all when we would come to visit Nanny and Grandpa occasionally. Sounds like you all have great memories
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Liz Croome My condolences.
I will always remember living next door in Saskatoon. The Little house was filled with laughter, joy, and love. Thank you Bill for being part of my fond childhood memories.
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Elaine Little I’m happy to hear that family were present when Bill passed. The obituary is lovely! I loved Bill truly and his welcoming smile was heartwarming. Great to see THE jacket on him … so handsome!
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Susan Ulmer Condolences to the whole Little family in such a loss.
My family is saddened by this news but are left with many great memories. Bill (and Marg) were very special people and they raised a very special family.
Hugs to you all