Niverville councillor Bill Fast dies

Niverville Coun. Bill Fast died on Monday.

“I am saddened to say that Councillor Bill Fast passed away suddenly this week,” stated Mayor Myron Dyck in a press release. “My sympathies go out to his wife Jeannette and to Bill’s children and grandkids.”

Myron wrote that he will miss Fast’s big smile whenever he asked about Fast’s family, especially his grandchildren.

“Bill had the gift of helping and the community will miss how he loved serving seniors through singing for them or taking them to various appointments. Mostly, I will miss the random phone calls where he would check in on me to make sure I was okay after a rough week. Bill, you have served your family and community well. Until we meet again. Rest easy my friend.”

Fast’s family wishes to keep the cause of death private, according to the Town of Niverville communications director Cyrus Reimer.

The mayor’s condolences were published on the town’s Facebook page with citizens posting their remembrances of Fast and sympathies.

“Bill and Jeannette are such pillars of the community. Bill’s passing will impact many: family, friends, colleagues, not to mention the many he encountered in the community. He’ll be missed,” stated Robert Stermscheg.

“So sad. Bill was always there with a hug and a smile,” wrote Sue Murdock.

“What a big loss for the community and his family. He will be missed. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends,” added Terri Riley.

Fast, 75, first entered politics in 1984 when he ran for councillor in Niverville, at the time he was the youngest councillor to have the position in the town’s history. He held that position until 1986 and returned to the post in 2022. He decided not to seek re-election in 2026.

While in council this term, he was director on the Niverville Community Development Corporation, Niverville Health Care Services Inc., and the Niverville Recreation Committee.

When he ran in 2022, Fast told a media outlet that as he was retired he was looking for ways to stay busy, so he volunteered with the Niverville Nighthawks. As a musician he would play for people in assisted living who were shut-ins during the COVID epidemic, and he worked with youth in his church’s worship band.

Prior to retirement, he was a salesperson for 40 years.

His ancestry in Niverville goes back two generations when his grandfather opened Wm. Dyck and Sons. He was born in Niverville and lived there for most of his life.

He is survived by his wife Jeanette, his children, and grandchildren.