Obituary of Alan Anthony Williams

We are privileged to celebrate the life of our beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. Al Williams of Calgary passed away at the Foothills Medical Centre on Thursday, September 2, 2004 at the age of 83 years. Al was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. He was the eldest son of Ethel and Dr. Gerald Williams and brother to Dorothy Gregory and Gerry Williams. He attended St. John’s College where his lifelong passion for flying and sports began. At the age of eighteen, he served as Transport Captain on the Royal Air Force Ferry Command. Following the war, he joined Trans-Canada Airlines in 1947 as First Officer, where he pursued and won the heart of Bette Munro, who he often boasted was “the best looking Flight Attendant on board.” They were married on September 10, 1949 and settled in Elbow Park where they raised their three sons and one daughter. Throughout his career, Al worked in the oil industry in Land and Human Resources as an employee of Gulf Canada and Union Oil. He was also an accredited member of the Canadian Public Relations Society. Al actively participated in sports, community, and service clubs. He loved badminton, won championships in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta and was the Canadian Champion in 1950, as well as a member of the Thomas Cup team from 1948 to 1952. His competitive spirit led him to excel at golf, curling, and skiing. He was a Governor of the Oilmen’s Golf Tournament from 1953 to 1958 and played in the initial thirty-five tournaments. He was Captain of the Alberta Willington Cup golf team, President of Earl Grey Golf Club, President of the Alberta Golf Association, Chairman of Calgary Seniors Golf Tournament, and a member of the Alberta Amateur Sports Hall of Fame. As an Alberta District Governor, Al and Bette participated in five international Rotary conventions. He was a Paul Harris Fellow, member of Calgary West Rotary Club and Board member of Operation Eyesight where two eye camps in northern India bear his name. Al particularly enjoyed many fishing trips and a “wee bit of the dram” with friends. Al is survived by his immediate family members, Bette; Tony, Jeanne, Sandy, Arden, Virginia and Ford; Ward; Judy; and Geoff, Linda, Carly, Ella and Ross; and his extended family; as well as Al’s many friends. Funeral Services will be held at Christ Church Elbow Park (3602 – 8th Street S.W.) on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Roy Darcus officiating. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made in Al’s name directly to the Calgary Rotary Foundation, #310 Kahanoff Centre, 1202 Centre Street South, Calgary, AB T2G 5A5 Telephone (403) 398-9969. In living memory of Alan Williams, 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.