10/01/2025
It is with with a heavy heart that I tell you all of the passing of William L. Marshall O.C., PhD, FRSC
1935 - 2024, who died peacefully in his 90th year surrounded by his loving family at Kingston General Hospital, on 19 December 2024.
Bill had a long career in helping others. After graduating from the University of Western Australia, he worked at the Maudsley and Bethlem Royal Hospitals, London UK, before arriving at Queen’s University, Psychology, 1969 (in future, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry). Bill was a pioneer in setting up assessment and treatment programs for s*xual offenders. He became an international authority advising correctional institutions in North America, Europe and Australasia. In 1993, Bill setup Rockwood Psychological Services which provided treatment and research for different types of offenders, including, s*x offenders, mentally disordered offenders as well as juvenile offenders in various settings.
Bill earned many honours in recognition for his commitment to research and development of effective therapeutic programs. In 1999, Bill received the Santiago Grisolia Prize for Worldwide Contributions to the Reduction of Violence, Queen Sofia Centre, Valencia, Spain. In 2000, he became a Lifetime Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada for his contributions to science. In 2003, he received the Pope John Paul Medal as an Expert Consultant to the Academia Pro Vita, Vatican. In 2006, Bill was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his international contributions in harm reduction.
In his personal life, Bill was a voracious reader, everything from philosophy to science, from literature to nature. He was a lover of birds and all nature’s creatures. He loved to hike, bike and garden; he enjoyed puzzles, games and red wine. He had been a long-distance (marathon) runner and former motor bike team driver.
The family would like to thank Dr. A. Gray and all staff on Connell 9 and Davies 4-ICU for the care and kindness in providing dignity and peace in Bill’s final days.
A private family gathering will be held to honour Bill in the spring of 2025. If you would like to share a memory or send condolences, please go to [email protected]
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the Kingston Humane
