November 7, 2022
In loving memory ~
Bill Murdoch passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 94. He always said that was how he wanted to go.
Bill was born in the winter of 1928 in Bull River, BC, where his father was the superintendent of the CPR Tie Camp. The family moved to Canal Flats and then to Yahk, where his parents had a general store. When the store burned down, they moved to Cranbrook, where, at fourteen, Bill began his long career with the CPR. Working for the CPR took Bill all over southeast BC. He worked on the Kettle Valley Railway from Penticton and had lots of stories about that time of his life. Bill moved to Revelstoke in 1949, where he worked his way up from firing steam engines to becoming a locomotive engineer. Bill moved to Vernon in 1984 to finish his career on the Vernon to Kelowna line, which is now the Okanagan Rail Trail. He retired in 1986.
Shortly after moving to Revelstoke, Bill met and married a local girl, Beryl Watson. Together they built their home from the ground up and raised two children, Pat and Ken. Beryl's mother, a widow, moved in with them and lived with them for many years.
In Revelstoke, Bill was an active member of the community, volunteering with his union, the Legion, minor baseball, and the NDP. He volunteered with the restoration of St. Peter's church and rectory.
Bill enjoyed visiting his daughter and grandchildren in Prince George and his son in Vancouver and later in New Brunswick. Bill loved to travel with his daughter and together they would visit his numerous family members and friends throughout BC and AB. Bill loved hockey and was a proud supporter of Vernon Lakers and Vipers. He enjoyed curling and bowling, and he had a real talent for gardening and DIY.
In his later years, Bill lived with his daughter and her husband in Inglewood Adult Community. In 2013, Bill moved to Orchard Valley, and in 2019, he moved into complex care at The Hamlets.
Bill loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. They were a huge part of his life and he spent as much time as he could with them. He was Gramps to them all.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Beryl, in 1997, and his siblings Bertha, Jean, Jack, Marie, and Bob. He is survived by his foster sister Mabel (Don MacDonald) of Kelowna, his children Pat (Dan McNeill) in Vernon and Ken (June) Murdoch in Moncton, NB, his grandchildren Alison McNeill (Yvon Allen) in Prince George and Jason (Nicole) McNeill in Leduc AB, his great grandchildren Tessa, Korrigan, Archer, and Monroe, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Hamlets, particularly those in the Skaha Hamlet for the wonderful care they gave to Dad / Gramps.
Bill will be interned in Revelstoke next spring next to his love, Beryl. A memorial is planned for a later date.