Bill was born in Calgary, Alberta, to Norman and Mollie Rea, the 2nd of 6 children, and the only son. The family moved to Vancouver when he was 2, and then to Montreal, where he attended high school. Bill graduated from McGill University with a degree in civil engineering.
In 1960, Bill married the love of his life, Cecile, and they lived in Montreal, and Labrador, where Bob and Gordon were born. In 1964 they moved west to North Vancouver, when Bill started to work for BC Hydro. Daughter Debbie was born shortly after.
Bill was a hard-working and dedicated family man, who was good with his hands. He liked to build and repair things himself. He had a lifelong passion for sports, fitness and the outdoors and spent countless hours coaching and supporting his children in hockey, lacrosse, football and softball. But Bill’s greatest loves were fishing and golfing. He and Cecile spent countless vacations belly-boating at Chattaway Lakes, and he was a lifetime member of Seymour Golf and Country Club.
In his later years, Bill enjoyed fly-tying, reading, and dispensing ‘advice’ to his cherished grandchildren. We will miss him dearly.
The family will have a private memorial, due to covid
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