Theodore "Bill" William Heidrick

An adventurous traveler, a birder, a lifelong learner, always quick with a smile and a greeting, Bill made friends wherever he went. He enjoyed crosswords and a good hand of bridge and contributed in multiple ways to the communities in which he lived. He knew that every day was a gift, and he faced his journey with cancer with strength and resilience.

Bill, the oldest of 5 children, grew up in Winnipeg. He joined the Bank of Montreal right out of high school and started on his path to becoming an accountant. A chance road trip to Vancouver with some buddies exposed him to the possibility of green grass in the winter, and he soon moved west.

Some years later he decided to leave the bank and went to work in the forest industry in the Kootenays, where he credited his then brother-in-law with “keeping him alive” while he learned the ropes.

Bill and his wife, Kathie, moved to Zeballos on Vancouver Island for work and ended up staying for over 30 years. He involved himself with his usual enthusiasm in many aspects of small town life – the Recreation Commission, Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Service, Rangers, Fish and Wildlife, as well as 8 years in local government.

When Bill and Kathie moved to Courtenay in 2011, Bill soon became a director with Project Watershed, and he was integrally involved in the current project at Kus-kus-sum. It was with great satisfaction that he witnessed the purchase of the property and the beginnings of the restoration of the site.

Bill spent many pleasurable hours strolling the Courtenay Riverway Walk, watching birds and other resident wildlife and chatting to friends and visitors about what was “happening across the river” at Kus-kus-sum.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kathie Woodley, sisters Arleen (Claude) and Terri (Garry), brother Jack (Wendy) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Andy.

There will be no service at Bill’s request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Project Watershed.