Obituary of William Walter STEWARD

November 25, 1931 – Burnley, Lancashire, England 

June 29, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

William Steward, beloved husband of Josaphine Steward (nee Perry) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at the age of 89 years.

Bill is the second of six children born to Eugene Steward and Alice Daisy Archibald. His father served in one of the Cavalry regiments within the British army. So, at age 10, Bill was accepted into a military boarding school (where his 11 year old brother Eugene was already boarded) and entered into a military career. By age 21, Bill had qualified as an Army Physical Training Instructor and was posted to the prestigious Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst where Bill met Josaphine Perry (Jo) at a dance hall just off the military base. They were married in 1957 and just celebrated their sixty-fourth wedding anniversary on June 8.

Excelling in sport, by age 24, Bill became one of only three judo black belts in the British Army at that time, becoming a first Dan. While in the army, Bill qualified to referee and judge boxing, run Judo and devised advanced military swimming courses. He was a lifeguard and became a life governor and examiner for the Royal Life Saving Society, and rose to the rank of warrant officer over his twenty year career in the military.

Bill and Jo’s lives were enriched when they and the three children they had then, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1966. Bill has served as a branch president twice, as a bishop and high councillor. Bill and Jo served together for many years as temple workers. Bill loves the Saviour and his hallmark message is “The Gospel’s true!”

Bill so loved all of his growing family and was always known for his great zest and enthusiasm for life.

Bill is survived by his wife Jo, their seven children and their spouses, Sue (Malcolm Cooper), Gordon (Dot Rooke), Caroline (Joel Johnson), Sarah-Jane (Paul Blomfield), Rachael (Alan Biggs), Lorraine (Richard Ward) and Joseph (Jennie Forsyth).

He has been blessed with thirty-four grandchildren and an ever increasing number of great-grandchildren who are his pride and joy! He will be greatly missed by us all. “Till we meet again!”

Funeral Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (14540 Parkland Blvd SE, Calgary, AB) on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.  Graveside Service to follow at the Okotoks Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Bill’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

The service will be broadcast privately via YouTube using the following link: https://youtu.be/gvVfEQIyZVw (A recording of the service will also be available using the same link after the event) Please share with anyone who knew Bill and would like to attend. 

In living memory of William Steward, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575