To Be About Me – 02/21/19
so many friends, family, true kin
calling, texting, emailing, coming in
paying their tribute
sharing their piece
loving a being
wanting to release
that knot of pain
that yearning to say
your time’s not up
day after day
and what was the reply
of this beautiful being
feeling the emotional impact
of what others were feeling?
with tears in his eyes
overwhelmed by the love
he simply said
“i never wanted it to be about me”
and this is how he has lived
caring first about others
and so loved
loved for who he is
a loving being
being love
This was our dear Bill – a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew and a friend to so many. Bill’s birth was announced in the middle of his Dad’s hockey game in Edmonton. On their farm, they flooded their own hockey rink – he never tired of playing hockey with his brothers Rick and Dave who were his life-long friends. Bill attended U. of Denver, graduating with his BSBA, playing for the lacrosse and the hockey teams. Denver Pioneers won the NCAA championship in 1969. Teammates have cherished many reunions and celebrations. A professional hockey career was followed by over 35 years in real estate culminating in many great friendships with colleagues and clients. Bill served on many committees, as a director and then president of the Victoria Real Estate Board in 1995. Bill loved his local squash, hockey and golf circles. His favourite places were Tofino, Pender Island, any golf course and exploring on the Island Myst.
Bill lived a life of service spending time with the Parkinson’s and Epilepsy Board, Victoria Crime Stoppers, Vancouver Island Family Business Association and heading a team of dedicated individuals who care for our son Tyler.
Bill’s life is celebrated by his loving wife Gail, children Tyler and Brooke (Paul Hillsden), Alex Hoole (Lindsey) and Angela Getz (Darnell) and grandchildren Liam, Abby, Georgia and Gus who adored him. Bill will be missed by his aunt Joyce (Vancouver) and uncle Barry (April), brothers Rick (Laurie), Dave (Linda) and their families as well as Al, Bev, Chris, Darren, Dave, Deb, Donna, Garrett, Guy, Jason, Keira, Keith, Lance, Mike, Murray, Reg, Ron, Ross, Stephen, Tom, Trevor, Paul, Pam, Walter, Wayne and so many more – he cared for us all.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be shared at a later date.
If desired, donations in memory of Bill may be made to the BC Cancer Agency, the Option Institute (Autism Centre of America) or HeadWay (Parkinson’s and Epilepsy) in Victoria.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
28 Responses
It is with great sadness that we learned of Bill’s passing. Our sympathy and sincere condolences go out to Gail and your large extended family.
Bill was a great addition to our club. He always had a smile, a kind word and was very enjoyable to play with. His quiet and gentle nature will be remembered.
With our deepest sympathy,
Condolences to Gail and the Pettinger Family. My memories of first meeting Bill was as our real estate agent, and then his kind caring approach to our medical residents when they stayed in his house on Burnside Road. Thank you to you both, you made it so easy to place the residents. Rest in Peace, sweet, kind Bill.
Dear Gail,
Deanna and I were saddened to hear about Bill’s passing. Please accept our most sincere condolences to you and your family. Over these past few years I occasionally ran into Bill who was often with his son. I found him always friendly and interested it what I was doing. Our conversations seemed to center around family and hockey. I know he will be greatly missed by everyone who was touched by him.
Sincerely,
Robert
Dear Gail and family, Bill was a member of our real estate mentor group for many years until his retirement and although our relationship centred on the real estate industry he was one of the most respected people I know. His quiet confidence, his integrity and gentle nature made him someone you wanted to be associated with and he will be greatly missed. It was always a pleasure to interact with Bill and we are all better for having know him.
Dear Gail and family, I was so sad to read of Bill’s passing. The picture chosen for his obit truly reflected how many found Bill to be: Kind, of good humour and most importantly, a man of integrity. I am sorry for your loss of such a lovely man. Randi Masters
It was with great sadness that I heard of Bill’s passing. He always had a ready smile and kind greeting whenever we saw each other. I admired his quiet strength, integrity, humour and commitment to others. I know that he adored his family and was so proud of each of them. Over the last number of years, I saw him often at the Victoria Golf Club. He had a large group of friends who loved spending time with him. Bill left a wonderful legacy with his impact on so many lives and our world was better with him in it. He will be remembered for the wonderful man he was.
Dear Gail, Tyler, and Family.
I read all the wonderful tributes to Bill, and your words, Gail, so describe our friend to so very many of us.
Bill and I shared our wonderful assistants, Lea and Marilyn, for 6 years. We so enjoyed when Bill would bring Tyler in to visit. He was always interested in the city maps in our “drawers”. He would always ask about Gerry (Marilyn’s husband) and then they were off for an exciting adventure. When Bill retired – well he just never moved out….. one day, 2.5 years later, I sort of packed up his special things and “dumpstered” the rest. An amazing friend to many, will be so very missed. RIP BILLY
My sincere condolences to the Pettinger family. I will always remember Bill and his caring nature and big smile at the VGC, I was blessed to have met him in my years of service at the club. He left a legacy for many.
Gail, Alex and family, and Angela and family
I want to express my deepest sympathies for your loss. Bill was a lovely, lovely man who always had a smile and kind word. He will be missed.
Sending you love.
Sincerely,
Desarae McCulloch
Bill was a guy you loved being around, whether it was in a hockey dressing room or
a pub after a game. He’ll be missed by anyone who ever met him. His smile was as genuine as he was. RIP Bill