Tribute

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of William  (Bill ) Freding who passed away peacefully at the age of 73, at home in his sleep. He will be forever be remembered and missed by his wife Darlene Freding, His daughter Kerri Hinsburg her spouse and grand children.

He will be missed and loved forever by his family and friends, we have not only lost a truly great man, but an irreplaceable leader in the agriculture community and province. 

Bill was born and raised in Princeton, British Columbia on a pure bred Hereford cattle ranch. He was a 4th generation cattle rancher whose great grandfather, John Fall Allison, was the first appointed gold commissioner within the province. Allison was one of the first settlers to supply cattle to the Klondike gold rush. Allison Lake & Allison Pass where named after him as he was the first to settle and ranch in that area.  

Bill attended UBC and received his bachelor’s degree in Science and a Masters in Agricultural Economics. After a year traveling abroad, Bill returned to British Columbia and started ranching in the Chilcotin region. With ranches in Dog Creek, Big Bar, Big Meadow, and Big Creek.  He loved the cattle industry.

He married Darlene on September 21, 1978 while at Dog Creek.

In 1988 he moved to Oliver where he finally pursued his dream of becoming a feedlot owner/operator successfully finishing beef cattle.

In 1999 Bill and Darlene ventured outside their comfort zone and, in addition to the feedlot, they embarked on the growing of high end wine grapes that are recognized as exceptional by the industry.

In 2016 Bill and Darlene decided to begin a new chapter in their life. Instead of retirement, they acquired acreage north of Oliver where they were going to pursue compost and hay sales to maintain their involvement within the agriculture industry.

Bill had a lifelong passion for gaining knowledge and implementing techniques to preserving the land for future generations. He worked tirelessly as an advocate for the beef industry not only provincially but nationally as well. He was an active and supportive member of his community generously passing on his knowledge to those who asked.  He was admired and respected by everyone who knew him.

Although his passing was sudden and unexpected the family finds comfort in knowing that he did not suffer and will eternally remain on the land that he so loved.

A celebration of life for Bill will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 29th at the Southern Plus Feedlots, 487 Sibco Landfill Road, Oliver, BC. Part of the service will be conducted outside, please dress appropriately.

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/487+Sibco+Landfill+Rd,+Oliver,+BC+V0H+1T0/@49.1357852,-119.5872615,13.22z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x5482c21388c073af:0x4ae6b3dbb73fb7b2!8m2!3d49.129188!4d-119.5617143 

In lieu of flowers donations are being accepted for a scholarship of fund in memory of Bill Freding. For further details please contact; freding@telus.net