Obituary of William (Bill) Grey BUCHANAN

October 8, 1927 – Edmonton, Alberta
November 1, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

William Buchanan, beloved husband of Jean Buchanan (nee McAlpine), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at the age of 93 years.

Life began for Bill on October 8, 1927 as the fourth child to Bill and Barbara Buchanan who were then stationed and Smoky Lake, AB, with the Alberta Provincial Police. As a youngster, he spent many happy days with his brothers, Bob and Harold, and his sister Dorothy at their grandparent’s farm in the area. Following a move to Leduc he started school in grade one, later to Edmonton and finally to Calgary in 1935. His formative years were spent joining cubs, scouts, and sea cadets prior to signing on with the Royal Canadian Navy during the second war. He was accepted into the RCMP Marine Division in 1946, posted to Sarnia, ON, on the patrol boat Cutknife until he was transferred to the regular force in January 1947. Following graduation in Regina, Bill was posted to Manitoba where he served at Winnipeg, Mac Du Bonnet, Selkirk, Hodgson, Arborg, Whitemouth, Emerson, and Fort Gary on uniform detachments. While serving in plain clothes on Winnipeg CIB, he met Jean and they were married on August 23, 1952 with a move to Fort William, ON in charge of special branch and drug squad from 1953 until 1958. Unfortunately Jean contracted TB while nursing at the local sanitarium. This required them to move to Calgary where Bill’s sister, Dorothy agreed to look after their son Brad while she recovered. Serving with the Calgary CIB and in charge of PS&LC squad until he transferred to Edmonton headquarters in 1962, as Staff Sergeant Bill was now the proud father of Beverley, Brad and Brenda, who now accompanied their parents to Ottawa, when Bill was promoted to an inspector in 1964. Bill held positions of assistant adjutant, liaison officer, planning branch and security officer for two prime ministers and the governor general as well as several cabinet ministers on international visits to Central America, Europe, Asia, USA, Middle East and the Caribbean. Promoted to a superintendent, he handled Dauphin sub-division from 1969 to 1975 with a final posting as CIB officer in Winnipeg as a chief superintendent. During the travels, the family never complained of leaving friends behind, new schools and extra work shovelling snow and current lawns for an absent dad and husband for which Bill was most grateful. Joining RCMP Veterans and Naval Veterans upon retirement in 1978, Bill continued to be active with them as well as the naval museum of Alberta. 

Bill is survived by his loving wife Jean, daughters and son-in-law, Brenda (Steve) Buchanan of Calgary, AB, and Beverley and Shawn Needham of Edmonton; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Angela of Kelowna, BC, grandchildren, Christopher Pittman, Gavin and Tavis Needham, Ryan, Kyle and Amy Buchanan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from the McAlpine and Buchanan families, and many friends who affectionately called him “Uncle Bill”. 

Bill was predeceased by his brothers, Bob (Geneva) and Harold (Margaret); sister Dorothy, and his grandson, David Needham. 

A Memorial Service will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, October 09, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Buchanan’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. A Graveside Service will follow at Union Cemetery. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Bill’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.   

In living memory of William Buchanan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Bill's memorial card can be viewed using this link

Thank you for joining us for the live-streaming of this event 
(the event start time on our video player has automatically adjusted to match your time zone)
Our technical team does everything possible to ensure the best quality of the live-stream service.  
Unfortunately there are times when the internet connection at the venue or where you are viewing from may cause interference and buffering.
We apologize if this is the case with today’s live-stream but we want to assure you that this service will be recorded and uploaded following the service.