William Harold Wilder

William (Bill) Harold Wilder passed away peacefully at Melville Hospice Home in Surrey, BC, in his 96th year here on Planet Earth (as he liked to say), surrounded by his loving family on August 27, 2022, following a lengthy illness.

Bill was the cherished husband of Joyce for 72 years; loving father of David (Marie), Kathryn (Stuart), Paula (Stephen), Dan (Sue), and Jennifer (Andrew); treasured grandfather of Joshua (Diana), Matthew (Laura), Philippe (Elise), Jesse (Jessica), Pierre (Olivia), Melissa, Nicholas (Annikke), Michael, and Allison (Brad); proud great-grandfather of Isaac, William, Samuel, Thomas, Eleanor, Jack, Claire D, Olivia, Claire W, Charlotte, Theo, Nell, and one more on the way.

Bill was born on February 17, 1927, to Seaward Artemus Wilder and Shirley Carston (Parrott) Wilder, in Rosetown, Saskatchewan. Bill grew up on a wheat farm, with many adventures involving his older brothers, George and Jack. The family sold the farm and moved to Camrose, Alberta, due to Seaward’s ill health. Upon his father’s death, when Bill was ten years old, his mother moved the family to Kingston.

In 1944, Bill graduated from high school and enlisted in the army, completing basic training. At the war’s end, he entered Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he graduated with a Baccalaureate in Economics.

Bill moved to Parry Sound, Ontario, where he worked with CIL in an administrative position. He joined the badminton club, where the secretary, Joyce Yeates, won his heart. They married in 1950. Bill and Joyce settled in the nearby village of Nobel, where they welcomed four children in just under five years: David, Kathy, Paula and Dan.

In 1959, Bill and Joyce moved to Pembroke, Ontario, where he taught mathematics and coached hockey at Pembroke Collegiate. Summers were spent in teacher training in Kingston, with the family enjoying carefree days at Cook’s Cottages on Lake Ontario.

In 1963, Bill and the family moved to Deep River, Ontario, where Bill worked at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) in Human Resources. Bill and Joyce enjoyed life in Deep River, welcoming a fifth child there, Jennifer.

In 1971, Bill transferred to AECL’s head office in Ottawa, where he was manager of benefits. Following Bill’s retirement, he and Joyce settled in Abbotsford, BC, in 1990, where they lived for many years, before moving to Surrey in 2019.

Bill was a man of virtue, integrity, and kindness. A gentle gentleman with a loving heart for others, he was gracious to all. Throughout the years, Bill enjoyed the camaraderie of bridge club friends and his church family of St. Matthew’s. Family was of paramount importance, and Bill delighted in clan gatherings, trips, and celebrations. We miss him profoundly and are grateful to have been a part of his life for so many years.

Heartfelt thanks to the many people who cared for Bill over the last few years, including Dr. Matthew Brockman, White Rock Home Health (especially Jill), Melville Hospice Home at Peace Arch Hospice Foundation Lodge, and all the wonderful staff at Peninsula Retirement Residence.

A memorial service will be held at St. Matthew’s ANIC Church, at Grace Church Worship Centre, 2087 McMillan Road, Abbotsford, on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift to Melville Hospice Home in remembrance of Bill Wilder would be appreciated.

https://www.peacearchhospice.org/donate-online/