Sydney
It is with heavy heart that we, the family, announce the passing of William H. Besso on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Hospice Cape Breton, Sydney.
Born on April 20, 1948, in Sydney, Billy was the son of the late William Sr. and Mary Jane (Marshall) Besso.
Billy is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Hilma (Neal) Besso; daughter, Cathy Michelle (Dwayne) Warren; grandchildren, Jenna (Audrey) Digero, and Jacob Warren; sisters, Phyllis (Charlie) Halloran, Bonnie (Peter Hill), Linda (Dennis) Weatherby, and Virginia (Wesley) Cromwell; brothers, Wayne (Tonya) Besso, and Brian (Karen) Besso; brothers-in-law, Glen (Eleanor) Neal, and Trevor (Julie) Neal; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Billy was predeceased by his in-laws, Glenmore and Helen Neal; grandson, Matthew Joel Besso at birth, and special uncle, John Marshall.
Billy had a great love for his family, work family, country music, and his friends. He worked at Citizenship for many years where he developed a great work family. Billy loved everyone of them, and they certainly returned that love.
Special thanks to Dr. Moamer, staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, palliative care unit, VG Hospital in Halifax, Cancer Centre, Hospice Cape Breton, VON, and City Homemakers, for their care of Billy in his time of need.
A very special thanks to Billy’s extended family for all the love and support over this past year. I wouldn’t have made it without you. To my family, brothers, cousins, friends, co-workers at GDI, and his Citizenship family, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of Billy Besso will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Friday, August 30, 2024. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 4 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Pastor Harlyn Purdy officiating. A time of reception will follow the service, and a private interment will take place at a later date.
Donations in memory of Billy may be made to Palliative Care, Hospice Cape Breton or a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Vergenia ,Wesley & Family
So sorry to hear of Your Father passing .Will keep Him & the Family In My Prayers ,May God Bless You All
From: Ada Hagen
So sorry to hear of Billy’s passing, he was a wonderful, hardworking man who always had a smile on his face. May cherished memories bring you moments of comfort.
My deepest condolences
Kelly Munroe
We are very saddened to here of the passing of Billy. He was a very kind and sweet man. I have great childhood memories with Billy and Hilma. Thinking of you Hilma and Cathy and the entire Besso family. May he rest in peace.
My heartfelt sympathy on Billy’s passing. He was a truly nice person, who did everything he could for his family. He will be missed. Gwen
Thoughts and prayers to Billy’s family and Hilma.
Miss hearing him sing his favorite country songs in the hall ways on George St. He had a strong work ethic.
But his friendship with Allan and I,will never be forgotten, and he will be missed.
My deepest condolences, thoughts and prayer go to everyone who Billy ‘s life has touched.
Allan MacKay and Wanda Covey
So sorry to hear about Billy. He was a gentle, caring man. Billy has been in our lives for over 50 years. His wife Hilma is my first cousin. He was a very hard working man and took pride in that. He will be missed by many people whose lives he impacted. Always a pleasant greeting when you ran into him. Rest in Peace Billy. Hilma and family keep his memory in your hearts.
Bill was one of the nicest people I ever met. We had a lot of great chats and laughs at Citizenship on almost a daily basis. I will miss him as will many others. Rest in peace Bill.
Our hearts are broken on the passing of Billy. He was a kind and loving gentleman and brother-in-law who will be missed by all who knew him. Our sincere condolences to Hilma Cathy Jenna and Jacob and the Besso family. May he rest in peace.
I knew Bill my entire life… such a hardworking man and a great family man.
He was one of the nicest people and he was well liked and respected at Citizenship.
Rest in peace Bill.
My condolences to Hilma and family!!
We’ll always have great memories from Webster Street. Thinking about you. Keeping you in our prayers.
We are so sorry and saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend. May God grant his comfort to Helma and. family at this difficult time.
Our deepest condolences on the loss of Billy. May he rest in peace.
Our condolences to the Besso family. Billy was a gentleman and a true family man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Helma and family. He will be miss.
Rest in peace.
Heartfelt condolences ,to the family.
Deepest condolences to Hilma ,Cathy and family. I am sorry to hear of Billy’s passing
My thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to all family members and friends.
My deepest condolences go out to you Hilma,Cathy,Jenna and Jacob,and the entire Besso families.Billy fought a courageous battle but sadly lost the fight!! He will be missed dearly by all who got the chance to know him.Rest In Peace Billy(the gentle giant)Never to be forgotten
My sincere condolences to everyone. May he rest in peace
Hilma, Cathy, Jenna and Jacob
Sunday afternoon I lost by good buddy Bill. He will forever be in my heart and he will always be missed. You all have by deepest sympathies for this tremendous loss to your family. May he rest in peace.
I am so sorry for the loss of this kind and gentle man. I worked with Bill at Purolator and quickly grew to love him. I am sure this is a huge loss to your family!
My sincere condolences to Hilma and family. Billy was a genuine hardworking man. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was one of the nicest persons I have ever known. He was certainly one of the bright spots at work and will be really missed. God rest his soul and hopefully there’s some good country music in heaven
So sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. We spent a lot of time with all of you when we were kids and had great memories. Thinking of you from Alberta.
Condolences Virginia, family and Besso family on the passing of Billy. May your happy memories bring you comfort in the sad days ahead.
Sorry for your loss sending my condolences to his family and friends 😇 🙏
To Brian & Virginia and all the Besso families. I am sorry for loss.
My sincere condolences to everyone. 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽.
So very sorry for the loss of Billy. You are in our thoughts and prayers Hilma, Cathy and Family, Trevor and Julie and family, Glenn, Eleanor and family. May you cherish your memories.
Hilma, Cathy, Jenna and Jacob–so very sorry for your loss of Billy. May your happy memories bring you comfort in the sad days ahead.
Hilma, Cathy, Jacob and family–so very sorry to hear of your loss. May your happy memories of Billy bring you comfort in the sad days ahead.
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing Cathy! I have so many wonderful memories of him. He was an amazing family man who did everything for his loved ones. The only thing he needed was an occasional beer and his tunes. I remember him driving us everywhere before we could take the car and drive ourselves. I remember him taking us swimming and putting up with our nonsense. I remember his laugh and how much he loved you all. I wish I could be there to support you through your grief but please know I’m there in spirit and always here to chat. Love you lots ❤️
I was so saddened to hear that Bill had passed away. He was a wonderful, sweet and kind man. He always was ready with a smile and quick to laugh. He brightened many days for me at the office and I always tried to make a point of chatting with him on my in-office days. I feel like I lost a great friend. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
To Wayne , Brian and all extended Family Members , our condolences on your loss . Cherish the Memories .
My deepest condolences go out to you Hilma,Cathy,Jenna and Jacob,and the entire Besso families.Billy fought a courageous battle but sadly lost the fight!! He will be missed dearly by all who got the chance to know him.Rest In Peace Billy(the gentle giant)Never to be forgotten
We were so saddened.to read of Billy’s passing. He was a great guy and loved Hilma and family dearly. I joan & Lloyd Blackremember meeting him when Hilma (Who I’ve known for years) and I were at the CBBC as we strolled along Charlotte Street. He was a kind and
gentle man and he will be missed.
Love Joan & Lloyd BlackLloyd
so sorry for your loss condolences sent to you and your family if you need anything dont hesitate to ask
Hilma, Cathy and family I want to send my prayers 🙏 at this difficult time. Bill was was a true a gentleman, I first met Bill at Cabot House when I lived there in the 80’s and met up again when I worked with his wife Hilma at Shipyard Elementary. May you
You rest in peace.
I am so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was very nice to speak with at work and definitely had a quick wit about him. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.
Mary and Colin Waye
Our sincere condolences Linda and Dennis and all the family.
Hilma & Family, we are so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I was very sorry to hear about Bill’s passing.
I looked forward to our daily chats at work as he was always in a good mood and we would have a little chuckle.
I would daresay he was the most liked person at work….everyone loved him.
My thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time.
Bill’s presence here at the office will be missed beyond measure. He was an incredibly kind and gentle man who always made the time to chat while doing his duties with a smile. I’ll miss our daily small-talk and laughs, as will so many others. Rest peacefully Bill.
HILMA, Cathy and Besso family, so sorry to hear about Billy’s passing. May your memories help you during this time of sorrow. May he rest in eternal peace
Dear Hilma, Cathy and family,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Billy’s passing. Your family holds a special place in our hearts as your friendship meant a great deal to mom. We wish we could have been there to help celebrate his life. May he rest in peace.
Sending love, Charlie & Lil