Obituary of William Alexander Elser

William (Bill) Alexander Elser, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2005 in Calgary after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer disease. Throughout his life and career, Bill touched the lives of family, friends, colleagues, peers, and caregivers, and will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all. Bill is survived by his sons Derek (Jane) of Fort McMurray, Mitchell (Rhonda) of Calgary, Paul (Kelly) of Lethbridge, Gordon (Janine) of Ottawa, Thomas (Christiane) of Calgary and James (Kim) of Westbank. He is also survived by seventeen grandchildren, Katie, Robert, Stacey, Matthew, Andrea, Erin, Christopher, Ryley, Alexa, Candice, Damara, Emily, Jesse, Mathias, Aaron, Liam and Juliana; his brother Franklin (Betty) Elser of Missouri; his sisters Kay Wagner of Colorado, Helen (Don) Teegarden of Texas and Edith (Joseph) Pitti of California; numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth; parents Wilbur and Amelia; his stepmother Grace; his brother Roger; and his sister Elizabeth. Bill was born November 2, 1924 in El Paso, Texas, and grew up in Mesilla Park, New Mexico, and Denver, Colorado. He graduated in 1948 from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. While attending college, Bill served for two years in the United States Navy and saw active duty in the South Pacific during World War II. After graduating, he worked for Standard Oil in West Texas before moving to Canada in 1950. In the Canadian oil patch, he worked as a field engineer for Denton Spencer Company in Calgary, as an independent consulting engineer in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Vice-President of Consolidated Mic Mac Oils Ltd in Edmonton, Vice-President of Whitehall Canadian Oils Ltd in Calgary, and President of the Oil & Gas Division of Ashland Oil Canada Ltd in Calgary. In 1975, Bill was named President in the formation of ATCO Gas & Oil in Calgary. In 1982, he became Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of ATCOR Resources Ltd where he remained until his retirement in 1992. During his career, Bill served as a corporate director for Algas Mineral Enterprises Ltd, Nowsco Well Servicing Company Ltd, ATCOR Ltd, ATCOR Resources Ltd, Canadian Western Natural Gas Ltd, Northwestern Utilities Ltd and Ashland Oil Canada Ltd. He also served as President of the Independent Petroleum Producers Association of Canada (IPPAC), a director of the Petroleum Recovery Institute and the Petroleum Communication Foundation, and was as member of the United States Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. Bill married Elizabeth Krysa on September 15, 1953, in Edmonton and together they raised six sons while living in Brandon, Edmonton and Calgary. He was a loving father whose greatest gifts to his family were his commitment, passion for life, honesty, integrity and respect for others. Bill enjoyed woodworking, camping and sports. He particularly enjoyed golf, and was a member of the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. He was very active in Cubs and Scouts and coached little league baseball for a time. Bill raised and trained Irish Setters for show and obedience trials, and was an Obedience Trial Judge for the Canadian Kennel Club. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive SW) on Thursday, December 8, 2005 between 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm. Funeral Services will be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church (903 – 75th Avenue SW) on Friday, December 9, 2005 at 2:30pm with Rev. R. H. Grant Rodgers, Presider. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, #201, 222 – 58 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2H 2S3 Telephone: (403) 290-0110. In living memory of Bill Elser, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.