Bill Edgar

Bill Edgar retired – and went back to school. The Second World War vet and former federal civil servant enrolled at Western and earned a diploma with honours standing in history in 1994. He also has a BA from the University of Toronto, which he earned as a returning vet in 1948. And he has a business administration diploma from Algonquin College that he earned while working.

“I always felt I would try to give others the same chance I had for an education, if I could,” says Bill. “My parents weren’t wealthy and the only way I could attend university was with financial assistance. As a veteran, I had some assistance through the Department of Veteran Affairs. The University offered generous bursaries to seniors when I returned to Western. I wanted to give that kind of opportunity to someone else.”

Bill has established a bursary at Foundation Western for history students through a charitable gift annuity that gives him a guaranteed income for life. “The income is tax-free and I’ve benefited each year as a result. It helps Western during my lifetime and I can see the benefits. I had planned to leave a gift in my will, but this way I get to see it work.”

Bill says the most enjoyable time of his life included the days he spent as a student at Western. “I was 70 when I graduated. I had fun with the faculty, staff and students. They accepted me as one of them.”