Tribute

On the evening of April 7, at Penticton Regional Hospital, the Reverend Reginald (Reg) Wilson Hillson passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Saviour.  He would have turned 97 on April 13, one day before the 9th anniversary of the death of his beloved wife Joan, on April 14, 2007. 

Reg was born in Walthamstow in the county of Essex, England to Arthur and Ann (Wilson) Hillson.   At the age of 5, he started school in London, but one year later, after the birth of his brother Arthur, the family moved to another area in Essex county.  His father was a builder, employing up to 40 men at times, and Reg quit school when he was 14 to join his father in the construction trade.  He apprenticed in construction and plumbing. Then in 1934, the family bought a farm in Suffolk, in the eastern part of England. Throughout the years, they moved to various farms, ending up in Devon, where Reg met and married Joan on Dec. 26, 1944.  Although he was not regular army, Reg served as Home Guard and was a dispatch rider on an Enfield motocycle, along the coast of Devon. 

Then in Feb. 1947, the whole family, Reg and Joan, his parents, his sister Gladys, her husband and young daughter and his brother Arthur, set sail for Canada.  They arrived in Calgary, in March to 40 below.  Of course, they weren’t prepared for this, having no boots, hats or other cold weather clothing. Reg and Arthur looked at farms for sale in the surrounding area and ended up in Elnora.  In 1951 they adopted David, who was six weeks old.

In 1955, Reg and Joan went back to England for a year, while Reg apprenticed at the Perkins factory in N.E. England in diesel engineering.  Back in Elnora, he took over the Massey-Harris dealership and eventually the International Harvester dealership, also.  In 1964, after vacationing in the Okanagan for a number of years, they decided to move to Osoyoos.  Reg was a mechanic working for Lohlein and Giles, while Joan did bookkeeping for DuMont’s Triangle Service. Reg eventually joined DuMont’s as head mechanic.  Then in 1975 Reg, Joan and David began Hillson’s Farm Equipment, which they operated until 1982.  It was now time for Reg to retire from mechanics and concentrate on his religious training.  He had always been involved with the church, taking many courses throughout the years, and in 1984 he became a deacon, then on April 26, 1997, at the age of 78, he was ordained as a Priest in the Anglican Church. What a joyous occasion!

Reg and Joan loved to travel and were members of the Good Sam Club, traveling to many destinations in both Canada and the United States.  Hawaii was also a favourite vacation spot. They were both avid hikers and photographers and Reg even developed his own pictures, at home in his dark closet.  Few people knew it, but he also played the accordion, but mostly for his own enjoyment.

Reg was also a Legion member and served as the Padre for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 173 in Osoyoos for many years.  Reg was a past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member for over 60 years.

Reg was predeceased by his parents Arthur (1966) and Ann (1950), an infant grandson Justin in 1976, granddaughter Dayna in 1999, beloved wife of over 62 years, Joan, in 2007, sister Gladys in 2010 and sister-in-law Grace in 2012.  He is survived by son David (Darlene), grandsons Derek (Sherry) and Devon (Brianne), three great-grandchildren Bradley, Kaitlyn and Andrew, brother Arthur, one nephew and three nieces and their families, his church family and many friends.

A memorial service will be held on Monday April 18 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, Penticton. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Penticton Regional Hospital Patient Care Tower Project, Penticton Community Soupateria Society or the Canadian Bible Society.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com