Obituary of William James Williams

June 7, 1937 – Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

April 16, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

William Williams passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the age of 86 years.

William was born on June 7, 1937, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. In 1954, he enlisted in the British Army and served for three years. In 1957, William immigrated to Canada and joined the Canadian Armed Forces, where he proudly served from 1960 – 1981.

During his years of service, William served one year in Egypt and six months in the Golan Heights as a United Nations peacekeeper. He was an Amateur Radio Operator (ham radio) and would use this skill in these remote locations as a goodwill gesture, so his fellow soldiers could make phone calls home during deployments. Some of William’s radio call signs were VE6EP, VE7BGU (the bad, the good and the ugly) and VE6BGU/SU (United Nations Emergency Force Ismailia, Egypt).

After William retired from the military, he worked for the Federal Government in Calgary at the Geological Survey of Canada for fifteen years and joined the HMCS Tecumseh Naval Reserve.

William is survived by his loving wife, Elaine, his daughters, Lisa (Chris), Sandra, and Janet (Randy); and his son Edward (Ted). William is also survived by his sister, Joy of Plymouth, UK and his eleven grandchildren.

William was predeceased by his son, Scott (2017), his sisters, Brenda (2005) and Joan (2014); and his parents, Edward (1992) and Esther (1963).

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with William’s family here.

In living memory of William Williams, 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.