Born in a log shack with a sod roof, during a January blizzard in Saskatchewan, Bill was a hardy lad. Surviving scarlet fever at age four and then rheumatic fever a couple of times later in life, Bill says in his memoires, “we all survived by the grace of God.”
Bill played guitar and sang from the time he was young, and music was always a big part of his life. He was a prolific songwriter and Bill and his wife, Velma (married 56 years), recorded many albums of his compositions. He also whistled and was pleased to come second in an international whistling competition.
God was Bill’s source of strength and inspiration. He studied the scriptures and committed them to memory. Bill and Velma graduated from L.I.F.E. Bible College and pastored in small towns in Saskatchewan and in Edmonton until they moved to BC in 1969. Needing to provide for his five kids, Bill worked in the Weiser Lock factory until his retirement when the company moved to Arizona. All the while, Bill and Velma pastored people, while raising their family. They sang “Country Praise” at music festivals, senior homes and special events all around the western provinces and Washington.
After Velma passed in 2013, Bill enjoyed the community living with others at Mayfair Terrace. He led Bible Studies and often sang there and sometimes family members would join in. Bill loved to tell people about Jesus and even the day after his tragic fall, there was Bill, preaching in the emergency room.
Bill was 91 years old at the time of his death and is survived by five offspring: Tim, Rebecca, Tony, Ben, Tammy; ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren who gathered around him in his final days. He will be dearly missed until we meet again in heaven!
The family welcomes you to join Bill’s Celebration of Life which will take place Thursday, June 5 at 1:30 pm at Maple Ridge Alliance Church.
November 21st, 2025
I just heard today that Bill died earlier this year, hence the late tribute.
i met Bill and Velma many years ago when I was the special events programmer at Burnaby Village Museum.Their group County Praise used to come and sing carols and songs during Heritage Christmas, even in the snow. They were so professional; always so beautifully dressed, I remember Bill in his top hat and bright red scarf. wandering the Village and encouraging the children to join in the singing.
Then when I retired from Burnaby I went to work at Irving House in New Westminster and Bill and his group performed in the lovely old Victorian house during Christmas Cheer.
He knew I loved the song An Old Christmas Card by Jim Reeves and he always sang it especially for me. It will be so sad to be at Irving House this year and not see him.
My love to all his family and friends, he was a special man.
May 19th, 2025
Our condolences to Tim, Becky, Tony, Ben,Tammy and families. We always enjoyed the visits and music when Bill came to Saskatchewan. We have many special memories of their visits and the great family get-togethers because they came. He was always a personable fellow that made an effort to contact his friends and relatives especially at Christmas. It was appreciated. We will miss those calls. Thanks for the music Bill. Wisemen still seek Jesus!
May 15th, 2025
A life fully well lived. To God be all the glory and Bill glorified the LORD in as many ways as he could. Through song, whistling, ministry of the Word and just being an example of the Lord. Bill has continued an amazing legacy through his family.
The LORD has said, "Well done good and faithful servant."
Hugs and prayers to all the family... and oh it spreads wide. May His peace be upon you.
May 9th, 2025
Bill was a dear friend, and we hold him and Velma with much love in our hearts forever. We are thankful for a friendship spanning many years and rejoice that "good-bye" is only for a season. "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be." We first met Bill & Velma at church, in about 1975. It wasn't long before Diane joined them in singing a trio, with Becky, still a teen-ager, playing the piano. Special memories! Then after our move to southern Manitoba, we well remember their visit to us when we all went to Spruce Woods Provincial Park (MB), enjoying a glorious hike amidst the spectacular sand dunes. Throughout the years we'd visit or meet them for coffee when coming back to BC to visit family. Then after our retirement and move back back to lower mainland BC, we delighted in seeing each other again. We thank God for the gift of Bill's friendship in our lives, remembering his deep love for our Lord, his special gift of music, his unique sense of humor and his always happy and peaceful spirit. To Tim, Becky, Tony, Ben, Tammy and their families, we extend our sympathy and love. Your father and grandfather was a very special man! May the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all.
May 9th, 2025
Congratulations to cousin Bill on his awesome promotion from earth to glory, and on a life lived well for the Lord! He will be missed by all who loved him and we look forward with so many others to meet him again.
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