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Biography
William Francis “Billy Co-op” MacPherson was born April 1st, 1922, in Frasers Mills to Daniel and Mary (Boyd) MacPherson.
He joined the Canadian Army in 1942 at the age of 20. He completed his training in Sorel, Quebec, and Petawawa, Ontario, before receiving specialized electrical training in Hamilton, Ontario.
After training, he deployed to England and took part in the Normandy Invasion. He was part of a unit responsible for locating and disarming landmines. While overseas, he also served in Germany, Holland, and Belgium.
He suffered a lung infection and was hospitalized in England before being sent home aboard the hospital ship Lady Nelson. Upon his arrival, he was discharged in Halifax in 1945.
Following his discharge, he completed Grade 11 in Johnstown and then studied engineering at St. Francis Xavier University for two years.
His brothers, Hugh Dan and John Roddie, also served during the Second World War.
He married Elizabeth “Betty” MacMillan on January 15th, 1951.
Billy worked at the People’s Co-op in Antigonish before joining Canada Post, where he worked for twenty years before retiring.
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