Austin Batley

BATLEY, Austin (WWII Veteran and 4 Year P.O.W. of Hong Kong), 89 years, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at Windsor Regional Hospital, Metropolitan Campus.

Beloved husband of the late Isobel (Pehleman), and the late Ruby (Kallay). Loving father of Karen Arps (John), Essex; Wendy Seabourne (George), Essex; Una Bondy (Bob), LaSalle; Robert Batley (Jean), Essex. Dear step-father of Pat Balose (Dan), Donna Brackenbury (Dan), Nancy Critchelow, the late Carole Gagnon and the late Robert Kallay. Cherished grandfather of 8 grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren and late granddaughter Julie. Proud great grandfather of 7 great grandchildren and 6 step-great grandchildren. Dear brother of Eric Batley and late wife Jean and sisters-in-law Madeline Pehleman and Ruth Astbury. Predeceased by brother Sterling Batley and late wife Peggy, and sisters Una, Rita and late husband Lional. Never forgotten by special niece Beverley MacAulay.

Austin was a retired guard from the Windsor Jail with 16 years of service, a proud member of the Hong Kong Veterans Association and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #201, Essex. Visiting at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 87 Maidstone Avenue East, Essex (519-776-4233) on Friday 2-5 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service to celebrate Austin's life will be held from the funeral home on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 11 a.m. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre Foundation or the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society would be appreciated. Family and friends are invited to share their words of comfort and remembrance at www.reidfuneralhome.ca