William Kynaston Hudson

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing to glory of William Kynaston Hudson in West Coast General Hospital after a short final illness. He was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Pastor and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet, of almost 63 years; children, Karen (Tim), Paul (Arleigh); Granddaughters, Amanda (Braden), Melissa, Megan (Steve) and Hannah; Great Grandsons, Henry and Matthew; Great Granddaughters, Isla and Ivy; Sisters-in-law, Eleanor (Allan) and Dinah; Nieces, Melanie and Christine; Nephew, Mark and several Great nieces and nephews in Wales. He was pre-deceased by his older sisters and their spouses; Rene (Laurie), Bunty (Cyril), Sally (Ray); niece, Anne and nephews, Anthony and Peter; nephew-in-law, Bryan; and brother-in-law, Bob.

Bill was born in Rhyl, North Wales two minutes after midnight on New Years Day 1931 and grew up there. Having trained as an electrician, he worked for the British Calendar Cable Company and took an opportunity to work in the Persian Gulf for a time. Not wanting to renew that contract, he decided on adventure and set sail for Montreal with the aim of eventually getting to Australia. Working at various jobs across Canada, he ended up in Vancouver. There he worked for Burrard Dry Dock and met his wife Janet, who was there for a 2 month internship. So it was back to Montreal for their wedding in 1960 where he finally acknowledged his call to ministry of the Gospel. He attended Sir George Williams College and United Theological College at McGill University, graduating and being ordained by the Montreal-Ottawa Conference of the United Church of Canada in June 1967. He served student pastorates in Repentigny, Oka and Howick Quebec and upon ordination was sent to a 4 point charge at McKellar Ontario. Subsequent moves took him to Delhi and Fort Erie Ontario and then to Olds, Alberta, finally arriving in Port Alberni in 1986 as Pastor of First United Church. In 1989 he was accepted as a Pastor in the Reformed Church of America and was called to be the founding Pastor of Cedar Grove Refomed Church, which he served until his retirement in 2001, and then served seven more years as a retired Pastor until 2008.

For many years he was an active Rotarian in various communities and was the charter president of the club in Delhi. He has been involved with A.A. and many other community groups as he moved around the country. In Port Alberni, he was on the board of Home Support, Padre for the Tri-Services, and for The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch # 55 and involved also in the dedication of the information plaque, added in 2006, to complete the Canadian Merchant Navy Veteran's Memorial at Harbour Quay. For several years he also served as Chaplain at W.C.G.H. When time permitted he liked to fish, play golf, work around his garden and enjoyed woodworking projects. As much as he loved Canada and the life he had made here, he always greatly cherished his Welsh heritage and from there came his love of music and he could listen for hours to Welsh Choirs.

The family is grateful to the staff at West Coast General Hospital, who cared for him during his last stay and to Doctors Meyer, Feyi, Lambiotte, and Mohamedali, who have cared for him over the past years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to B.C. Cancer Foundation or to a charity of your choice.

Cremation has taken place and we will be having a service of remembrance will be held Monday, July 10 2023, at 2 p.m. at Alberni Valley Christian Reformed Church 5033 Roger St., Port Alberni.