Despite a determined and courageous two year battle with cancer Bill passed with quiet dignity, at age 72, from an unrelated anomaly which restricted circulation to his heart.
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 30 years, Valerie, his parents George and Beatrice Watt, siblings George and Peggy, nephew Michael Holman, and beloved sidekick of 18 years, Mocha.
Left to honor his memory are daughters Brenda (Dan), Jackie (Jeff), and Taunja, grandchildren Kristina, Brandon, Kassandra, Jasmine and Ryan, great-grandchildren Rhianna, Kaycee, Elijah, and Tatum, his siblings Helen (Bruce), Robert (Chris), James ‘Red’ (Jean), Mary Jane (George), Jean (Dawn), Elsie, sister-in-law Bernice, numerous nieces and nephews, his lifelong friends Russell Stewart and Ludie Proulx as well as many extended ‘families’ here and on the Island.
After surviving a long-standing career as a West Coast Faller, Bill enjoyed many summers working with friends at Russell Farms in Westholme, BC. But throughout his life, his true love and passion was hunting and he was extremely proud of his ‘legendary’ status as a predator hunter and considered it his greatest accomplishment to hold many top official wildlife and cougar records in the BC Game Records book, based on the Boone and Crockett scoring system.
There will be a graveside service at 1 pm for family members Saturday, October 15, followed by an open Celebration of Life at 2 pm at the Barriere Lions Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Kamloops Hospice Association, 72 Whiteshield Crescent S, Kamloops, BC, V2E 2S9 in gratitude for the superb care extended to Bill.