William A. Philip

William A. Philip, one of the great pioneers of conservation in Ontario, was born in Fergus.

He was the first manager of the Royal Bank in Galt, a post which he held for forty-two years. He served as president of the Gore Mutual Fire Insurance Company, chairman of the Galt Board of Education, and was a founding member of the Waterloo Golf and Country Club.

Cognizant of the necessity for conservation in the Grand River Valley, he was a founder of the Grand River Conservation Commission, and was its first president, a post he held for eighteen years. He also was chairman of the Grand Valley Conservation Authority, organized later, the first development of its kind on this continent, preceding action by the great Tennessee Valley Authority. Now such projects are worldwide in scope.

Philip’s service to the community was very extensive and was marked by high integrity and great ability.