April 18, 1943 - June 2, 2023
In loving memory ~
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bill, Dad, or "Papa", after a six-month battle with brain cancer. Bill is survived by his wife of 20 years, Wendy, his former wife Donna of Pt McNeill, their children Brady (Connie), Lisa (Pieter), Lori (Greg), Jenny (Duncan), and 8 grandchildren; Wendy's children Seain Conover (Galina), Chris Conover, Keltie (Ben) Watson and Wendy's 6 grandchildren. He is predeceased by his older sisters, Fay Matthews and Connie Tupper and survived by his sister Sally, twin brother Bob (Lynne) and a number of nieces and nephews.
Born in Victoria, he began a happy childhood in Elders' logging camp in Otter Point. Around 1952 the family of seven moved into Sooke, where his father had a successful logging business. Sadly he lost his mother & father at ages 15 & 17 respectively. He soldiered on and graduated from Milnes Landing High School, as it was known then. He has written a beautiful account of those years of family history.
Initially employed in a sawmill at age 20, he went on to his most fulfilling work driving logging trucks in various communities, but primarily Beaver Cove, Port McNeill. Through his wonderful stories, we have rich memories of his 40+ year career in the forest industry— especially his hair-raising adventures driving logging trucks.
Sometime later — 35 years after their high school days in Sooke — he reconnected with Wendy, and they were married in 2002. Retiring in 2003, they began their many travel adventures, RV'ing or boating on Vancouver Island, travelling throughout B.C., Yukon, Alaska, across Canada and the US, including Hawaii. Their most cherished trips were boon-docking in Mexico on the mainland west coast and Baja. His middle name should have been 'tow-strap' because he pulled so many people (local Mexicans and tourists alike) out of the sand while the Sea of Cortez licked at their wheels. He loved every minute of that!
Bill could fix anything, was a skilled mechanic, carpenter and a perfectionist in everything he touched. His creative finishing touches can be seen throughout the home he and Wendy built. Drawing up his own plans, he built furniture for much of the family, to be enjoyed forever.
He was an accomplished singer and enjoyed Karaoke with family or friends and with amazing skill, he tried his hand at acrylic painting. An avid reader, he had started writing a novel with the backdrop of the west coast, dense forests, float planes and survival.
Over the months, Bill bore his illness with great dignity and enjoyed the many visits of family and friends. We wish he was still here talking about Cummins Diesels, Allison Transmissions and 'torque'. He will leave a hole in our hearts but we are relieved that he has found peace at last. He will forever live on in our minds and hearts and was a wonderful man — loving, capable, fun and downright good.
We wish to thank Dr. Farius, the Palliative Care Team including nurses Shauna, Jeanna, the home support nurses and care aids, especially his number one care aid Jun and the BC Cancer Foundation in Victoria for their compassionate, expert care. Also thanks for the contribution of staff at Evergreen Hospice Facility.
And a special thanks to Lisa, Pieter and family for providing care in a loving home environment for Bill during the last weeks of his life.
A Celebration of Life is to be held in the future.
Donations in Bill's name can be made to Campbell River Hospice, Red Cross Equipment Loans Service, the Victoria BC Cancer Foundation or charity of your choice.