Bill was predeceased by his loving wife Jenny. He is survived by his son Jim (Leanne) and his children Cathy (Kevin - predeceased), Julie (Travis), Trisha, Dan, Melissa and Matt (Esthera); son Ron (Barb) and his children Jennifer (Orrie), and Michelle; and daughter Debbie (Kevin). He is also survived by his beloved great-grandchildren Hailey, Emily, Lily, Sophie, Emilia, Willow, and Caleb.
Born in Snikzwaag, Friesland, Netherlands on March 17, 1927 to parents Joost Bergsma and Durkje Stilma, Bill helped with his family’s farming and on various other farms before moving to Amsterdam for work. In October of 1952, he and most of his immediate family decided to immigrate to Canada. On October 23, 1953 they traveled on the ship, Grote Beer, and later the Canadian National Railway. On the voyage he met the love of his life, his “sweetheart”, Jikke (Jenny).
On May 6, 1955, Jenny and Bill were married in Ontario and started their family; having three beautiful children, Jim, Ron and Debbie. In 1977, they moved their family to Vancouver Island, settled in Cassidy, and later moved to Nanaimo.
Bill was passionate about his faith, his Jenny and his family. He also loved to fly in planes. Once he took 20 flights in one day all over the US. He loved to vacation with family and his Jenny. Florida and cruises created pleasant memories for him. Gardening was another delight, especially tropical plants and flowers.
Bill’s faith was very important to him. At an early age he needed to share his faith with other students. Throughout his life he attended services until he was unable. He has written two books as well. We Have Also a More Sure Word of Prophecy 2 Peter 1:19 (2007) published by Xulon Press as well as Planet Earth in Peril (2011). In his first book Bill wrote, “If we believe therefore, that Jesus is our personal savior, who died on the cross for our sins, this will be our beautiful future. Revelation 21:1-7 God is with men and He will dwell with men and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
His strong faith assisted him through his struggles with dementia. He loved his Lord and was looking forward to being in his heavenly home with a glorified body and all those loved ones who passed before him.
The family would like to thank the staff of Sunridge Place Seniors Community in Duncan, BC for the care and support they provided to Bill and family through the last five years of his life.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at St. Andrews Presbyterial Church, 531 Herbert St, Duncan, BC.
“13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
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