Obituary of William Lloyd Mracek

August 17, 1922 - April 7, 2023

Calgary, Alberta

~In Flanders Fields the poppies grow~

William “Bill” Mracek passed away peacefully on Friday, April 7, 2023 at the age of 100 years.

Bill was born in Dodsland, SK and moved to Yellowknife, NT in the late 1940’s. In WWII, Bill flew in the Lancaster as a flight navigator. His crew was shot down over Germany on March 8, 1945. All survived, but were captured and became prisoners of war. He was 22.

His career took him and family to Whitehorse, Saskatoon, Regina, and Calgary. He was a carpenter, senior manager for the Department of Public Works, and Commissionaire. When most have retired, Bill, at the age of 66, joined the Corps of Commissionaires at the former Colonel Belcher Hospital in Calgary. He won Officer of the Year twice. He retired at 81.

Bill married Patricia “Pat” Hordal in Yellowknife in 1956. He was particularly proud of his family and always advised us to just “have fun.” He will be most remembered for his good humour and humility. A warm and thoughtful person, Bill deeply appreciated small gestures both given and received.

Throughout his life, Bill was a relentless fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and of curling. He especially enjoyed Prelude Lake cabin visits in Yellowknife in his later years and all the many dogs in his family. He appreciated the self-proclaimed ACES club where he socialized with veteran friends at the Legion.

Bill is survived by his three daughters, Tracie Lovatt (Ian) of Calgary, Kelly Kaylo (Kelly Hayden) Yellowknife, Deana Twissell (Al) Yellowknife, and one son, Bill Mracek of Calgary; five grandchildren, Trisha Boudreault Calgary, Madison Kaylo (Gero Grimm) Munich, Meagan Peacosh (Jess) Calgary, Kyle Kaylo (Jawah Scott) of Yellowknife, and Ryan Twissell of Yellowknife. Bill was predeceased by Pat Mracek and his brothers, George Mracek and Peter Mracek of Saskatchewan.

A private family service will be held in the future in Yellowknife, NT. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here or at tracielovatt@shaw.ca

Bill’s family would like to thank Dr. Radhmila Parmar for her compassionate care and to express our gratitude to all the staff at Colonel Belcher LTC, particularly those caring people of Normandy House. Heartfelt thanks also to the staff at Sage Hill All Senior’s Care, Calgary. If friends so desire, donations can be made to Vet’s Angels (calgaryhealthfoundation.ca) or the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy fund (legion.ca).

In living memory of William (Bill) Mracek, 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.

~We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow~