Tribute

Bill passed away peacefully at home in Oliver, BC with his wife Bunny, his children and their spouses, and grandchildren at his side. It was very special that he could be at home in the competent and professional hands of Bunny, his grand-daughter Stacey, and his two daughters-in-law Leanne and Patti. This family’s eternal gratitude is extended to them all, as was Bill’s. He will be lovingly remembered by all. His love of family was complete, as well as his love of life.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife Bunny; his children Karen, Wade (Patti), Jody (Dave), Neil (Arlene), Mark (Leanne), David (Trish) and Maxine (Guy); three sisters; eighteen grandchildren; one great-grandson as well as numerous extended family and friends.

He was predeceased by his father Jake, mother Susie, sister Marianne; daughter-in-law Susan and son-in-laws Jim and Dave.

Bill possessed an independent nature, integrity and strong lofty principles. These attributes allowed him to have a mischievous sense of humour with a quick wink and a smile. He also said what he meant and stood by it. Keeping things simple and honorable were also under his umbrella. He was known as “Wild Willy” and he could make his silver hard hat fly.

He led a distinguished and interesting career. He picked fruit up and down the valley, tried carpentry, went mining in Copper Mountain. It was along this time that he met the love of his life “Bunny”. They got hitched in 1951 and became the proud parents of two children. In between these children and his retirement in 1999, they moved back to Oliver where they had five more children

Bill became very successful in the construction industry. He came back to work for his father Jake building windows and doors, then cabinets, and finally moved into residential and commercial construction. He was self-taught, and learned from Jake, experience and books. He taught his sons, grandsons, and many employees the intricacies of constructing solid, straight, speedy, and cost-effective buildings. His good judgement and excellent insight allowed many of us to stand on his shoulders and move forward.

Bill generaled hundreds of house and bigger projects from Vernon to Princeton and many places in between under Seidler Sash and Door, and then Seidler Construction. Too numerous to mention all, however appropriate to mention the community centre, curling rink, the old IGA store, Oliver Bakery and mini-mall, the Kiwanis building and Midway fire hall to name a few.

Over the years Bill was a member of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce..He was a lifetime member of the Oliver Fire Department, served many years as assistant chief and was awarded a Life Membership. Bill was also a member of the Canadian Home Builders Association since 1993, a member of the South Okanagan Sportsman Club, the curling club and Fairview Mtn Golf club.

He loved to camp, hunt, fish, snowmobile, or just go for a drive with Bunny and Casey. He also loved to sit outside and read with a coffee and a smoke. (It was claimed he was a pro salmon guide.) Most recently his safaris into northern BC with his sons, son-in-law and grandsons in
-30C November became a highlight. He loved the wall tent with the woodstove crackling, the coffee on, bucks on the meat pole and a good rum.

Bill maintained that life is a journey, enjoy it because all journeys come to an end when your number is up. Hopefully he has found a good campsite, cleared the snow, rigged up the tent, fired up the woodstove and has the coffee on.

A private family service was held graveside at the Oliver Municipal Cemetery.

Donations to the Desert Valley Hospice Society (P.O. Box 1261, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0) would be gratefully appreciated.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
In Bill” words; “I’ve had a good run”.
Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos, BC.