Obituary of William John Lee Smith

March 26, 1939 – Rimbey, Alberta

January 7, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Bill Smith, of Calgary, AB, beloved husband of Gail (nee Penstone), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the age of 83 years.

Bill was born in Rimbey, AB, on March 26, 1939. William graduated from Ponoka Senior High School. He was employed at TransAlta Utilities for thirty-six years and moved on to MVA Consulting for seven years. Bill married Gail in 1963. He volunteered with the church, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Bill enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, golf, water skiing, bowling, curling, and spending time with his family. He was particularly proud of his wife, daughters, and grandchildren, as well as starting his own business.

Bill’s most memorable vacation was in January 1989 when he and Gail celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Florida and then on to a Caribbean Windjammer cruise.

He will be most remembered for his love of family, kindness, generosity, integrity, and playfulness.

Besides his loving wife, Bill is survived by his two daughters, Karie Ewles and Shelley McKechnie (Neil); and five grandchildren, Justin, Lauren, Erin, Allison, and Ian. Bill is also survived by his brother Bob Smith of Calgary, AB, and his sister Ina DeWilde (Bill) of Fort Saskatchewan, AB, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Perle and Jim Smith; brother Jim Smith, and six sisters, Doreen Meredith, Margaret Rasmussen, Lois Galbraith, Wilma Baldwin, Rita Dietrich, and Phyllis Bischke.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at St. Marguerite Manor, the Peter Lougheed Hospital, and Intercare Chinook Care Centre for their support and kindness in caring for Bill and his family.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Parkinson Association of Alberta, 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316 Toronto, ON M2P 2A9, Telephone: 1-888-664-1973, https://www.parkinson.ca/, or to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Smith’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.

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of William ‘Bill’ Smith, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Click Here to View William Smith's Memorial Card

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