Obituary of William James DICKSON

January 17, 1932 – Glasgow, Scotland August 14, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta Bill Dickson of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2017 at the age of 85 years. He is now at rest in the loving arms of our Saviour, Jesus Christ and welcomed Home by his family and hundreds of ancestors he has done genealogical work for! Bill was raised in Barlanark and Shettelston; suburbs of Glasgow, Scotland. With his mum and dad, he moved back and forth to Verdun, Quebec a few times in the 40’s and 50’s. After serving in the RAF and CRAF, with a growing family of his own, he decided to make the move to Canada permanent – settling in Ontario in 1972. Morag (Bradley) and their five children joining him from Scotland in November of the same year. In 1974, the family moved from a humble one bedroom basement apartment in Etobicoke, ON to a lovely new sub-division in Bramalea, ON commonly referred to by the locals as the “G section”. Circumstances had Bill with sons Billy and Allan moving back across the pond in 1984, settling in Manchester. After a few years in the UK, they were back to Ontario enjoying life in the GTA. His son Allan was transferred with his employer to Calgary, AB in 2006 and soon thereafter his other son Billy and his family made the voyage west with dad Bill coming along for the journey! Whilst visiting his sister in California in 1967, Bill joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been an active member ever since and an avid family history guru! He has traced his family lineage back several generations and has assisted many others in search for their ancestors. The family was welcomed with open arms in each congregation they attended including; the Springboig Ward (Scotland), Etobicoke Ward, Brampton Ward (both in Ontario), Manchester Ward (England), Mississauga Ward, Cambridge Ward (both in Ontario), Chaparral Ward, Cranston Ward and finally the Legacy Ward (all in Calgary). With many friendships being been made along the way! He followed in the footsteps of his dad Robert Jones Dickson (Lodge St Andrew 465) and joined Freemasonry in Glasgow, Scotland in 1961 with Lodge Eastmuir 1126. His mum Agnes Allan Simpson was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. His two sons Billy and Allan have kept the family tradition going and are also members of the ancient and noble Craft. Allan & Michelle Dickson joined Chinook Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in Calgary. The brethren of his current lodge Ashlar 28 and those at St Mark’s 118 extended the fraternal hand of brotherhood when he moved to Calgary 10 years ago. There was only one team for Bill – Rangers Football Club – attending many games at his beloved Ibrox! One fond memory of son Allan was in 1984 whilst attending a Cup Final at Hampden, Rangers beat the other unmentionable team 3-2 and Bill lifting Allan in celebration – he had never seen his dad so happy or be so strong!! Bill was an active member of the Rangers Central Supporters Club in Toronto and when he moved west found a home with the Rangers Supporters Club of Calgary. Bill’s last few years were spent living at Seton Seniors Community where the staff were awesome. They treated Bill with dignity and respect and always had fun with him speaking Tagolog taught to him by his daughter-in-law Michelle (originally from Iloilo, Philippines)! He is survived by his five children; John, Margaret (Steve Duncan), Billy (Mariela), Robert (Rebecca) and Allan (Michelle), seven grandsons; Gavin, William, Matias, Hunter, Brian, Blaze and Allan Jr and brother Tamm Callan in the UK. He was predeceased by his dad Robert Jones Dickson, his mum Agnes Allan Simpson, sister Marjorie Pinkerton and brother Allan all in Glasgow, Scotland and grandson Sebastian in Australia. A Celebration of Bill’s Life and Memorial Service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (200 Cranston Road SE, CALGARY), on Saturday, August 26th, 2017, from 1pm – 2pm, with light refreshments available (Masonic brethren attending are asked to wear their regalia). Condolences may be forwarded through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund (www.mhebf.com). After clicking on donate, drop down menu is “General Fund”, then in the message box please include: In memory of Bill Dickson – Ashlar Lodge 28. In living memory of Bill Dickson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB Telephone: 403-256-9575.