Obituary of Arnold Willy NORRIS

1922 – Little Red River, AB 2013 – Calgary, AB Willy passed away peacefully October 13, 2013 at the age of 91 years. Born in Little Red River, AB, Willy’s early years were spent in northern Alberta and Edmonton. He excelled at school and ran Scouts Edmonton. In 1941 he joined the RCAF and trained as a navigator. After the war he enrolled at the University of Alberta and earned a B.Sc. Honours Geology and M. Sc. Geology. He married Joyce (nee Berry) in Edmonton on December 23, 1950 and moved to Toronto to attain a Ph.D. in Paleontology. Upon graduation he joined the Geological Survey of Canada. He was well regarded and very prolific. Willy received several awards including the Alberta Achievement Award from Premier Peter Lougheed, designation as an Emeritus Research Scientist, and the Order of Canada from Governor General Michaëlle Jean. Willy was an avid reader and collector of books on the fur trade, the early exploration of Canada, North American Indian and Métis people. He was a kind and generous man and supported many charities. He will be greatly missed. Willy is survived by sons, Lee and Keith; stepson, Marcel (Lorraine); brother, Mac; half brother, Graham(Susan); half sisters, Shirley and Sharon(Jerry); half brothers, Russel(Lucy) and Donald; brother in law, Dale; four grandchildren Roxanne, Rona, Shannon, and Vanetta; seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Malcolm Frederick and mother Mary Celina (nee Tardiff); wife, Joyce Irene; brother, Russel; sisters, Ethel, Pauline and Esther; and half sisters, Fay and Betty. A Reception will be held at Westlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery (16310 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton, AB) on Tuesday Nov. 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Donations in lieu of flowers would be appreciated directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.