Every year since 1969, the Marine Historical Society of Detroit has named an Historian of the Year. The award is voted on by past winners, and honors those who have contributed significantly to the research, presentation or publication of Great Lakes ships and the shipping history.
2021 Historian of the Year
Born in Sarnia, Ontario, 1969, Bill had an interest in history and ships since early grade school. He graduated with a degree in marine engineering technology Georgian College, Owen Sound, Ontario, in 1990. He went to work for the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station – Ontario Hydro in May 1990. The company was renamed Ontario Power Generation in 1997. He retired in December 2020 and lives in Corunna, Ontario. He enjoys spending time with his wife Dawna and their nine-year-old old twins Frederick and Rosalyn.
Bill is a long-time member of Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Toronto Marine Historical Society where he is a member of the executive committee. He has written several lengthy features for the TMHS publication The Scanner and wrote two books in 1996 and 1997 titled “Moran’s Shoreside Companion.” He has assisted many people with their historical projects and research. In addition to his interest in ships and industrial history, he is passionate about architecture, local history and model trains.