It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our Dad, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather and most of all the husband of his loving wife Anne of 72 years - his inspiration throughout his life often telling her...”You’re the blood of my heart.” We all quoted him
several times in our upbringing and how those quotes shaped our lives from the “Book of Dad” Born in Cardendin Scotland, he immigrated to
Canada as a small boy and lived in Hinton and then
Edmonton Alberta where he met Anne and they married on March 23, 1935. His working
career took him in several directions. With a grade 8 education he was the epitome of an entrepreneur - involved in real estate and the oil industry in Alberta. He started a construction company, built and owned several buildings in Drayton
Valley, Alberta including the hotel during the 50’s, and later drive-in theatres. At one time he was
co-owner of the Oasis Hotel in Cache Creek back in the sixties. Having a love for Kamloops after traveling out here from Edmonton, Bill and Anne relocated to Kamloops in 1966, upon his retirement to enjoy his favorite pastime,
Steelhead fishing. He leaves to mourn his loving wife Anne and his six children; Christina (Ray) Romans of Brooks Alberta, William (Gloria) Aitken of Duchess Alberta, Jean-anne (Peter) Chitrena of Calgary, Sandra (Ken) Chernenkoff of Kamloops, June (Brian) Barron of Kamloops, Jim (Ester) Aitken of Cache Creek. He also leaves behind 17 Grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 16 great great grandchildren. Predeceased by his brothers Alex (WW II) brother Jim (2005), 2 infant great granddaughters Christina and
Ashley and his great grandson Christopher. The family would like to give a very special thank you to Dr. David Ritenburg and Jenny Wildgoose for
their personalized attention - the nurses and staff of Royal Inland - 5 North -the nurses and staff of Ponderosa during his short stay. Also to the
management and staff at Arby’s Valleyview (Dad’s favorite haunt) for the many years of his
milestone birthdays proudly displayed on their marquee “Happy Birthday Bill.” A family
celebration of life to take place later in the
season.
His favorite poem
The Man in the Glass
When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a days,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what that guy has to say.
For isn’t your father or mother, or wife
Whose judgement upon you must pass,
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the man staring back from the glass.
He’s the man to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous difficult test
If the man in the glass is your fiend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But you final reward will be heartaches and tears,
If you’ve cheated the man the glass
By Dale Wimbrow 1934