Obituary of W. Ross Whalls

Of St. Thomas and formerly of Port Stanley, passed away at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, in his 88th year.  Husband for 68 years to Barbara (née Hall) Whalls.  Father of Wendy Holborn (Kevin), Connie Whalls, Jeanne Whalls, Scott Whalls (Sue), Andy Whalls (Lorna), and Dana Whalls.  Grandfather of Derek (Sarah), Paul, Lauren (Ryan), Ryan, Tiffany, Carly, Melissa, Allison, and the late Jamie.  Brother of the late Donald Whalls.  Also survived by several great grandchildren, many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.  Born in Iona, ON, July 28, 1935, he was a son of the late Percy Whalls and Irene (née Marlatt) Whalls. 

Ross was the owner and President of Elgin Electric Ltd.  He was a member of Port Stanley United Church (where he was a past chairman of the church council).  He served on the Port Stanley Council (as a past Deputy Reeve), the Holiday Fantasy of Lights committee (a past chair), was a past member of the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers of St. Thomas Elgin, and a past member and director of the Ontario Electrical League Strathroy Chapter. Ross was a past chair of the Port Stanley Community Police Committee, the Port Stanley Arena Board, the St. Thomas Home Builders Home Show, the Port Stanley Festival, and a past director of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce. He was a past president of the Northside Business Association, St. Thomas, the Ontario Electric League Elgin District Chapter, the Port Stanley Lions Club, the Port Stanley Lions Junior D Hockey Club, the Port Stanley Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Thomas Home Builders Association. Ross recently received the 50+ Years Recognition Award from the Ontario Electric League in Toronto where he was a special guest.

Relatives and friends will be received by the family at the Sifton Funeral Home, 118 Wellington St., St. Thomas, 519-631-1160, on Friday, August 12th from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.  The funeral service will be held at the Masonic Centre of Elgin, 42703 Fruit Ridge Line, St. Thomas on Saturday, August 13th at 10:00 a.m.  (All in attendance at the visitation and service are kindly asked to please wear a mask). Private interment in Elmdale Memorial Park.  Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Port Stanley United Church will be gratefully acknowledged.