Condolence: To William's Family: I was deeply saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He was such a good friend to Richard & I at McMaster, especially in those early years, 1968-80. Dr. Richard Slobodin said he had found a new world archaeologist to bring to McMaster, a young man he had met at the National Museum. We soon met Bill in social events at David & Dorothy Counts home. We knew of Bill's struggles to design & outfit the new Archaeology Laboratory at Mac, and all the exhaustive work identifying & cataloging the Rutherford Smith & Case Collections of Neutral First people. Volunteering for local digs at Neutral sites was a weekend workout for us when the weather permitted. Bill's work on Ontario Prehistory & the history of the Neutrals is invaluable, especially today since so much local development has completely destroyed all evidence of these people. Anthropology and the First Nations owe so much to Bill, who helped write the history for those who could not write & left no survivors.
Richard & Bill spent hours in the Faculty Club together, solving the problems of the world. Bill was there to offer his sympathy when Richard died May 7, 1998. I bet those 2 are up there, looking down, solving more problems. I extend to you my heartfelt sympathy for a wonderful perosn who will be missed by all who knew him.
Isabelle "Cookie" Brymer (Anth 1986-1998) & the late Dr. Richard Brymer (dept Soc 1969-1998)

Condolence: Dear Nancy, You have been in my thoughts often, especially so when I read of Bill's death.I had hoped to make it out to Hornby and see you but that is not likely to happen. Please know that my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Treasure your memories Nan. Please contact me at my email. I would dearly love to see you again.
Sharon

Condolence: I guess what I remember most about William was the time he and my mother spent together. They were like best friends, very close, and they made eachother very happy. Even into their fifties and sixties, they would still giggle like enamoured school children when they were together.

I also remember that Will always put the date and time on everything...he was always reminding me to "get organized" and "get it together" (which I haven't quite done to this day). I didn't know how much that meant until a few Christmases ago, when Will gave me the gift of an envelope containing pictures I had drawn, poems I had written, and even some things I thought I'd thrown away....all stamped with the date.

The things that matter to us are not always monetary, and the gifts we give to the world are not always physical. What William Noble gave to my mother is something that will never leave her, and even as he passes physically from this world, the memories he has left behind will remain with everyone he has touched, forever.

May the Lord keep him until we join him one day.

Condolence: Jackie....I am your big sister and very saddened by your loss. Will was your best friend and I know you feel his loss enormously. His humour was droll, his support undoubted, and his intelligence formidable. I loved to hear him laugh. My love is with you, Catharine

Condolence: Dear Jackie - I've thought of both you and Will often over the last few years since Dr. Hacker left his practice. I was so saddened to read the notice in the paper today. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sheila

Condolence: Bill taught me archaeology at McMaster in the early 1970s. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences.