Nov 7, 1937-
September 13, 2005
Bill Wilson was born to Edward Wilson and Minnie Wilson (nee Penner?) on November 7, 1937 at Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He was only 3 lbs at birth and, in an effort to save his mother, was left for dead by the doctor. However, his grandmother, Katie Penner, refused to give up on him and kept him in a shoe box on the oven door, and fed him drops of sugar and water through a cheese cloth in order to keep him alive. From 1957 to 1960 he was a Sapper in the Royal Canadian Engineers, of the Canadian Military (Service No. SM109624). While stationed in Gagetown, New Brunswick he met and fell in love with Margaret Tucker. They were married on August 27th, 1960.Bill initially worked at a variety of jobs; as a child he sold donuts door to door. As a young man he was a door-to-door fuller brush salesman, and a variety of labour jobs in and around Nipawin. In 1961 they moved to Edmonton where he worked as a tinsmith for awhile before he went to work for Finning Tractor as a spot welder. He helped build the Northgate Mall. In 1965, during a trip to Courtenay to visit his father, he was offered a welding apprenticeship at the Courtenay Machine Shop. He spent 4 1/2 years here and got his welding tickets. In 1969 he worked predominantly for MacMillan Bloedel and at a variety of places, such as Kelsey Bay, Eve River, Menzies Bay, and Campbell River. In 1971 they moved to Port McNeill for a few months before finally settling in Port Hardy, where Bill went to work for Island Copper. Port Hardy was home for the next 20 years and where Bill and Marge raised their children. After leaving Island Copper, Bill worked at Woss, Port McNeill and Nimpkish. As well during this time he spent several years operating his own business, Wilson’s Welding; a mobile welding operation, out of a truck that he and his son, Dean, built.In 1989 he moved alone to Victoria where he met Carol Rombough. They were married May 29, 1993. Bill was very happy with Carol and although he was famous for his joking and giving a hard time, he would often seriously and quietly say that he didn’t know what he did to deserve someone who treated him so well. Neither did we, Dad, but we were happy for you. Bill loved people and nothing made him happier than visiting and talking over a few cups of coffee and his home was always open to everyone. People of all different backgrounds, education and ways and means were made welcome and treated the same. Bill loved to talk about all kinds of topics, history, politics, economics, religion, current events, and much more. Bill is predeceased by his parents and brothers, Dale Wilson, and Calvin Dyck. He is survived by his wife Carol, his brother Dennis Dyck; his children: Dean (Cathie), Lee-Ann (Ron), and Jym (Andrea); their mother, Margaret; and grandchildren: Genevieve and Benjamin Wilson and Davis Freeman; niece Colleen Parkin, great niece and nephew Selina and Joshua Parkin.Somewhere, Bill and Ramesh Lal are playing pool, smoking, laughing, and having the time of their lives.