William Alfred Brown

battle with brain cancer. Bill is survived by his wife of 20 years, Wendy, his former wife Donna

of Pt McNeill, their children Brady (Connie), Lisa (Pieter), Lori (Greg), Jenny (Duncan), and 8

grandchildren; Wendy’s children Seain Conover (Galina), Chris Conover, Keltie (Ben) Watson

and Wendy’s 6 grandchildren. He is predeceased by his older sisters, Fay Matthews and

Connie Tupper and survived by his sister Sally, twin brother Bob (Lynne) and a number of

nieces and nephews.

Born in Victoria, he began a happy childhood in Elders' logging camp in Otter Point. Around

1952 the family of seven moved into Sooke, where his father had a successful logging

business. Sadly he lost his mother & father at ages 15 & 17 respectively. He soldiered on and

graduated from Milnes Landing High School, as it was known then. He has written a beautiful

account of those years of family history.

Initially employed in a saw mill at age 20, he went on to his most fulfilling work driving logging

truck in various communities, but primarily Beaver Cove, Port McNeill. Through his wonderful

stories, we have rich memories of his 40+ year career in the forest industry— especially his

hair-raising adventures driving logging truck.

Some time later — 35 years after their high school days in Sooke — he reconnected with

Wendy, and they were married in 2002. Retiring in 2003, they began their many travel

adventures, RV'ing or boating on Vancouver Island, traveling throughout BC, Yukon, Alaska,

across Canada and the US, including Hawaii. Their most cherished trips were boon-docking in

Mexico on the mainland west coast and Baja. His middle name should have been 'tow-strap'

because he pulled so many people (local Mexicans and tourists alike) out of the sand while the

Sea of Cortez licked at their wheels. He loved every minute of that!

Bill could fix anything, was a skilled mechanic, carpenter and a perfectionist in everything he

touched. His creative finishing touches can be seen throughout the home he and Wendy built.

Drawing up his own plans, he built furniture for much of the family, to be enjoyed forever.

He was an accomplished singer and enjoyed Karaoke with family or friends and with amazing

skill, he tried his hand at acrylic painting. An avid reader, he had started writing a novel with the

backdrop of the west coast, dense forest, float planes and survival.

Over the months, Bill bore his illness with great dignity and enjoyed the many visits of family

and friends. We wish he was still here talking about Cummins Diesels, Allison Transmissions

and 'torque'. He will leave a hole in our hearts but we are relieved that he has found peace at

last. He will forever live on in our minds and hearts and was a wonderful man — loving,

capable, fun and downright good.

We wish to thank Dr Farius, the Palliative Care Team including nurses Shauna, Jeanna, the

home support nurses and care aids, especially his number one care aid Jun and the BC

Cancer Foundation in Victoria for their compassionate, expert care. Also thanks for the

contribution of staff at Evergreen Hospice Facility.

And a special thanks to Lisa, Pieter and family for providing care in a loving home environment

for Bill during the last weeks of his life.

A Celebration of Life to be held in the future.

Donations in Bill's name can be made to Campbell River Hospice, Red Cross Equipment Loans

Service, the Victoria BC Cancer Foundation or charity of your choice.