Obituary of William Vigar

June 7, 1927 - Portreeve, Saskatchewan

November 27, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

William “Bill”’ Vigar was born on the farm in Portreeve, SK to Gerald and Mary Vigar. He grew up in a family with seven siblings (six of which were sisters!) during the “Dirty 30s” and experienced the hard times of that era. He took over the family farm when his father passed in 1962. He was a farmer his whole working life and enjoyed the life, the land, and the community of farming.

While living on the farm he often attended his nieces and nephews’ events to cheer them on. He had a big boisterous laugh and a shout that would make you jump but immediately identified that Bill had arrived. In winter months he would live in Calgary with his mother and two of his sisters, and they took an annual trip to Hawaii. After he retired from farming, he moved to Calgary to live full-time.

He enjoyed watching curling and attended the Scotties Tournament of Hearts with his sister Reta in Red Deer and Lethbridge, AB. He also travelled to many interesting places in Canada and abroad with Reta, including Oahu, Hawaii, Dawson City, Yukon, Churchill, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Panama, Alaska, and Australia. He loved hearing a good story and was curious about others. He also liked to drive and went on frequent day trips around the area.

Bill enjoyed all music, but his toes were really tapping if the tunes were zydeco and bluegrass. He attended dances on most Saturday nights unless invited to a home-cooked meal and a rousing game of cards, both of which he enjoyed thoroughly.

In July of 2022, Bill took his last road trip from Calgary to Saskatchewan. His driver followed the route that Bill had taken many times, along the back roads and river valley to Portreeve, with a stop at the family farm. It culminated at his nephew’s farm where many friends and family members had gathered for a BBQ on a sunny summer day of reminiscence and laughter. He was able to visit with most of his nieces and nephews and their families and was so happy to see them all. It was a very special trip for him.

He is survived by his sister Elsie Staroszik in Calgary, and many nieces and nephews in Calgary, Saskatchewan, BC, United States, Australia and Mexico.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life for family and friends will be held in Saskatchewan at a future date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bill’s family here.

In living memory of Bill Vigar, 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.