Obituary of William David Needham

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Officer William David Needham, badge 242 of the Vancouver Police Department on March 27, 2026.  He was born in Birmingham, England, on January 1, 1933. 

He and his wife, Rita (predeceased) immigrated to Canada in 1957.  William retired as a Lieutenant Commander in the R.C.N. reserves and a major in the Army Reserves.  He held a B.A. and M.B.A. at Simon Fraser University and taught at the University of Toronto, York University, and the O.P.P. college in Ontario. 

William is survived by his sons, Martin Needham (Isabelle Normand) and Ross Needham (Sandra Needham); sister, Mary MacDonald of Devon, UK; his grandchildren, David Needham (Samantha), Crystal LeBlanc (Jaret), Patrick Normand-Needham (Maggie), Kevin Needham; great-grandchildren, Ethan Albright, Oliver LeBlanc, Maeve Monette-Needham, Mayson Monette-Needham, Wes Needham and Eadon Needham. 

William was a member of St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Miramichi, NB.  William’s family would like to thank Orchard View Nursing Home for the care provided to William in his later years.