William Dennis was a young man when he died. To honour his memory the William Dennis Fund was created to support a research chair in pediatric epilepsy founded by the Dennis family.

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The unexpected death of William Dennis at age 30 was related to seizures. Individuals with epilepsy are usually completely healthy between seizures, which occur without warning or precipitating factors. Although rare, Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy Patients (SUDEP) occurs in previously healthy people with epilepsy. Still unexplained despite on-going investigation and research, SUDEP is responsible for 12-15% of all sudden deaths reported, and accounts for 10% of all epilepsy-related deaths. Eighty-five percent of SUDEP deaths occur in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50.

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The William Dennis Fund contributes to research for children with epilepsy, and supports the William Dennis Research Chair in Pediatric Epilepsy within the Department of Pediatrics at the IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University. A legacy to the existing foundation of excellence in Maritime pediatric neurology, the William Dennis Fund is also a legacy to the generosity of the Dennis family and benefactors. With the additional financial support of community leaders, the William Dennis Fund will have a lasting and positive impact.