William Almer McCall

Predeceased by an infant brother, his parents Almer and Christine in April 1988; his father-in-law Jake Dyck in 1993; his brother-in-law Bill Ens 1998; Ross Bodie in 1999; his daughter Colleen in May 2003; his sister Mae in 2016.

Survived by his wife Edna, son Stephen (wife Bobbi, daughters Megan and Kayla); daughter Kristy (husband Shawn, daughters Chloë and Sloane); son Jeremy (daughters, Kaylie, Emily and Abigail); a sister MaryAnn Ens and family; sister-in-law Evelyn & Leo Champagne and family; brother-in-law Robert and Kathy Dyck and family and sister-in-law Dorothy & Jake Martens and family.

Bill was born on July 10, 1931. (although known as Willie to all in those days because of so many Williams in the family and community, he continued to be known as such by many, he later also became known as Bill or William)

He grew up in a 3-generation family that was later joined by his two sisters. Growing up the only boy in a family of not only parents, but also grandparents, I am sure he was doted on but also disciplined.

The story is told that on Sunday afternoons his mother would read Bible stories to her children up in her bedroom and young Willie would be doing somersaults on the bed while she was reading. However, when it came time to answer questions about what she had read, he knew all the answers!

He attended Foster school, a mile from the family farm. For some years, Ian Hartle, whose family lived a bit further from the school, lived with the McCall’s and they became close friends, as well as Mac Sheppard and a few others.

Bill loved curling, and one year skipped his team all the way to the Southern provincial playdowns. He won many prizes over the years. As his children grew and became involved in hockey and skating, he felt that along with farming, he no longer had time to devote to curling so gave it up. He briefly took it up again, but gave it up again, after a brief time as it aggravated an old back injury. He then became an avid armchair curler and still enjoyed the games on TV. He did not mind watching old games this past while – it did not matter if they were from 2019 or 2013, it was curling.

Bill also loved fishing. He went on an annual fishing trip with his bothers-in-law, Bill and Ross. Often, they were joined by another friend, Ike Martens. Ike had a droll sense of humor and apparently kept them all awake in their tent, long into the night, with laughter. It was on one of his fishing trips with Ross and Bill that he met his future wife, Edna. Edna was working at the same children’s home as MaryAnn and Bill. His children loved to tell others that their Dad went fishing and caught a big one.

Bill enjoyed farming, first with his dad and later, on his own. His farm was not big, but it was a good life and a great place to raise his family. He sometimes felt sad that farming life was so busy he could not spend as much time with his children as he would have liked.

The family farm was a mixed farm with grain and cattle, chickens, and later pigs. Goats, ducks, geese and a horse were also sometimes part of the pictures! Bill raised purebred Polled Herefords and showed them at various cattle shows. Eventually, that too changed to commercial cattle.

Bill loved his family. He was so proud of his children, as they arrived one by one. He loved to teach them about farming and how to do things. He enjoyed taking them to events and watching their activities. He was a proud Dad as he watched his children grow up and get married and have children of their own. He was now a proud Grandpa, loving to see his granddaughters, getting hugs from them and hearing of their accomplishments.

Bill loved the farm life and his children were the 4th generation on the family farm. He did not want to leave that farm but just over ten years ago, different things happened and he suddenly realized it might be a good time to sell the farm and move to town. Once that decision was made, it did not take long to sell the farm. The actual process took a bit longer, but by November of 2009, Bill and Edna had moved to Abernethy, on lots owned at one time by his Uncle Archie and Aunt Alice. He enjoyed knowing he lived on land that had been part of his family before.

Once moved, he did not miss the farm. He could keep busy mowing grass and gardening. He was always happy to share his garden produce. After some serious health issues just over a year ago, he could no longer garden, but it still bothered him to see weeds in the garden. Just this past May, when Jeremy and Kristy came to plant the garden, he sat out there all morning watching! And he felt the garden needed watering. When we finally got the water turned on and most of it was watered, he went out after breakfast one morning, moved the waterer and tried to get the watering started. When Edna went out to see what he was doing, she explained that part of the garden had no seeds – it was just extra space. Besides there was a kink in the hose – but soon all was resolved, and watering continued.

In the past few years, Bill’s hearing and eyesight deteriorated and with his other health issues, he could not enjoy life as easily as he used to. But he still enjoyed as much as he could. His last day was filled with enjoyment as we went for a drive to the Fort. He enjoyed seeing the emerging crops. He had brief chats with a few friends, and it was a good day – that life ended early the next morning as he collapsed beside the bed and fell into the arms of Jesus.

Arrangements in care of Tubman Cremation & Funeral services

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