Obituary of William Francis Risler

William (Bill) Francis Risler beloved husband of Del of Crossfield, AB passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at the age of 85 years. Bill was born in Lethbridge, AB on November 15, 1922. Bill was raised by his parents in Lethbridge, but spent every possible moment he could at his maternal grand-parents farm in Spring Point, AB in the Porcupine Hills. This is where he cultivated his life-long love for horses and the farming way of life. Bill had been employed by the C.P.R. for forty-six years at the time of his retirement in 1982. He began by delivering telegraphs on his bike at the age of fourteen, became a wireless operator, and then took schooling to become a radio technician. Bill met Geraldine Laura (Dene) Miller while stationed at the Gaspe Peninsula, QC with the Air Force during WWII. They were married October 4, 1944, and made their home in Lethbridge, at the conclusion of the war, after having lived briefly in Halifax, NS. Bill and Dene and family resided in Lethbridge until June 1965 when Bill’s job transfer took the family to Calgary. It had always been Bill and Dene’s dream to own a small farm, and they realized this dream when they purchased the quarter section one mile east of Crossfield in October 1971. Bill absolutely reveled in his life on the Hobby farm and also embraced the community he loved through his involvement with the Elks, the Masonic Lodge, the Legion, the Crossfield Recreation Board, the Crossfield Rodeo Committee, coaching minor hockey, canvassing for the Red Cross, etc. He deeply treasured the wonderful friendships made through his community involvement, Bill’s love of horses led him to trail-riding adventures in the Turner Valley area, and he was out riding in the mountains every chance he got. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to share this passion for trail-riding with his grandchildren and he often had a grandchild (or two or three) out camping and riding, too. He had so many wonderful memories of time spent with the "trail-riding gang" – lots of escapades, and laughter that continued well into his eighties! Bill married Del Huchala on February 3, 2006, having known each other all their lives. Above all else, Bill was a family man who enjoyed a very close relationship with all his children and step-children, their spouses and his grandchildren. He measured "wealth" by his relationships with family and friends, and by this standard considered himself a wealthy man, who has had what he described as a "fun life". Bill leaves to mourn, his loving wife, Del; four children, Jim (Linda), Maureen (Terry), Rick (Jennifer), Linda (Tony); daughter-in-law, Kim; step-children, Pat, Michelle (Tom), Jim (Kelly), Doug (Anita); grand-children, Brad (Patty), Greg (Alesia), Bill (Carol-Anne), Mike (Heather), Stacey (Greg), Jill (Kris), Dannee (Adam), A.J., Jayden, Chelsea, Brittany, Laurissa, Mattison, Anthony, Eden and step-grandchildren; great grand-children, Kara, Shane, Sydney, Camille, Garrett, Nathan, Julia, Christopher, Ian, Taylor, Jordan, Kendalin, Colten and Rebecca. He was predeceased by his wife of fifty-eight years, Dene; youngest child, Frank; parents, Ernie and Elsie Risler; in-laws, Gerald and Marion Miller; sister, Gladys; brother, Buzz; great-grandson, Nicholas and step-son, Robert. A Memorial Service will be held at Crossfield Community Centre, (900 Mountain Avenue, Crossfield, AB) on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor’s choice. In living memory of Bill Risler a tree will be planted at Fletcher Park, Airdrie by McINNIS & McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie Funeral Home, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE. Telephone: (403) 948-1100.