William (Bill) Heil
April 1, 1916 - October 1, 2017
Bill passed into the hands of his Lord and Saviour on Sunday, October 1, 2017 with Kay, the love of his life for 70 years, by his side.
Born April 1, 1916 in Lemberg, Saskatchewan. Bill was one of 10 children, predeceased by all of his siblings and his parents Martin and Philippina Heil.
Bill grew up on the family farm in Saskatchwan and in 1940, based upon a recommendation from Doctors at the Mayo Clinic, moved to the moist climate of British Columbia.
Prior to his enlistment in the Canadian Army in 1943, he worked on dairy farm and the mill on Mt. Prevost. After his war service he returned to sawmilling but eventually ended up owning his own truck, starting in the sawdust and slab wood business, and for the next 30 years or so worked in small truck logging and hauling until his retirement in 1983.
Kay and Bill were married January 30, 1948 and lived all of their lives and raised their family in Duncan.
He was a proud veteran and honored to serve his country in Europe as a tank commander with the 1st Armored Personnel Carrier Regiment (AKA The Kangaroos).
He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. In November, 2014 the Republic of France appointed Bill as a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour in recognition of his service for the liberation of France.
Bill loved his church, a good joke, a good cup of coffee (especially with his coffee gang buddies), he loved to sing, get a good laze in the sun, to tell stories of the past, good food (except pasta!), wrestling, timber cruising, but most of all he cherished his bride Kay and his family.
He was a loving, kind and humble husband, father, popa, great-popa and friend to many.
He leaves to mourn his wife Kay, his daughters Maureen (Jim Dias), Beverly and his grandsons and their families, Ryan and Holly, Isabelle, Gabby and Brady and Shawn and Megan, Benjamin and Eli, as well as many other relatives in BC and Western Canada.
A memorial service, honoring his life, will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at St. John's Anglican Church, 486 Jubilee St, Duncan.
There are no words to express our gratitude to the staff at Carinsmore for their care, love and kindness to Bill, they are all angels.
Special thanks to Dr. Patricia Seymour for her compassionate care of Bill.
No flowers by request, donations in lieu please to either St. John's Anglican Church or Carinsmore Place.
Condolences may be shared online at www.firstmemorial.com
FIRST MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICES, Duncan, BC. 250-748-2134.
First Memorial Funeral Services