Hutchinson, William Sunday, 14 Jan 2007
Williams Lake, BC
William Thomas Hutchinson was born June 8, 1941 to William Thomas and Annie (Bryce) Hutchinson at Big Creek B.C., where Bill grew up along with his sisters Norah, Eileen, Mary, and Lou, he was the only boy in the family of five.
Bill attended school in Alexis Creek as well as Big Creek, however he studied many different pursuits in this university of life. Bill came from a very musical family and learned how to play many different musical instruments, which he later passed on to his oldest daughter Tanya.
He spent time as a big game hunting guide for his brother-in-law Tom Wilson and for Duane Witte. Bill spent most of his time in the mountains camping, hunting and fishing, as he loved wildlife and could call a moose out of the backwoods every time he was out.
Bill started working away from home at a very early age, at Kaytors sawmill, West Fraser on Bald Mountain, Lignum’s Mill in Meldrum Creek. But when that closed down Bill moved to Williams Lake where he was the head saw filer for Bill Lambert for many years.
Bill met and married Marcella Bowe in 1968 and had two children Cory and Tanya as well as his adopted son Shayne Bowe. They made their home in Boweville and spent much time travelling to rodeo’s and going hunting and fishing.
Not very often was there not game hanging in the backyard at the Hutch’s. Family was very important to Bill and taking time to visit his mom and sisters in Kamloops to spend holidays or weekends together meant a great deal to him.
Bill was well known behind the chutes at the rodeos; always willing to help out the steer riders; setting them down and pulling ropes and then somehow still managing to jump in the arena to snap some pictures of the young riders. Then he was loading up the truck and headed off for the next rodeo.
After Bill and Marcella separated; Bill met Doreen Johnson of Alkali Lake and together they had three children Jonathan, Dawn and Ann. Bill taught his children many things from hunting to fishing, tying fly hooks, playing music, and bow hunting, and laughing.
Bill loved to laugh and joke and always seemed to have a joke to share or a comical life story to tell from his days of guiding, saw filing, fishing, drinking, or playing in the many different bands he was part of; or he’d tell of the many other things he experienced. He used to say he could weld anything in this world together but two things; a broken heart and the crack of dawn.
Bill faced a short battle with cancer and when he knew he was not able to over come his struggle he had the courage to start a new journey into the unknown.
His children Cory, Tanya, Johnny, Dawn, and Ann; as well as his partner Betty; sat with him to the very end; where he smiled softly and shared a laugh, and joked until he found his peace and slipped away Jan. 14, 2007 in Kelowna.
He will be missed by all who knew him....
Mahood, Francis Friday, 29 Dec 2006
Williams Lake, BC
Francis Raymond (Ray) Mahood passed away Dec. 29, 2006.
Ray was one of four sons and three daughters born to James and Elizabeth Mahood. He was born Dec. 19, 1923 and grew up in Chilliwack during the Great Depression.
Like many families, farming was a way of life. His father was the first forest ranger for the Lower Mainland and would go on to teach his sons the tools needed for a future in the forest industry.
At the age of 14 Ray decided to start coloring his father’s maps for fun.
When word of this got around a man from the B.C. Forest Service came to see him. From then on black and white maps became a thing of the past. Ray never heard from the man again but was forever proud of being the one to start the colorization of maps.
During the Second World War, Ray enlisted in the Canadian Army at the age of 19 and trained in Armored Corps.
As a tank commander, he and his crew landed on the beaches of Normandy on the evening of D-Day, June 6, 1944.
They were transferred to a British unit to supply the crews of the self-propelled armored vehicles and provided an important role to the invasion.
Soon after they were released by the British Army and continued by tank throughout Normandy, helping other units. Thereafter he joined an elite team called the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
Ray served through to Holland where he became an aid to the regiments’ commander for their headquarters squadron. He was discharged in 1946 and returned home to Chilliwack.
While working as a forest ranger in Cultus Lake he met and married the love of his life with whom he would have nine children.
Throughout the 50s and 60s Ray not only started his own mapping company that was known all over Canada, but also had a family logging company that was successful for many years.
Over time he became specialized in photogramitry and was an experienced surveyor who was responsible for logging operations in B.C., Alberta and South America. Ray was sought after by many companies but was most interested in the jobs that would pose a challenge.
He was respected by all who met and worked with him.
Some of Ray’s other accomplishments were boxing, gymnastics, as well as building two of his own homes but, as an experienced pilot who owned two planes, he enjoyed flying the most.
In the 70s he moved his family to the community of North Shuswap where he was the owner/operator of a building supply store and the local postmaster, eventually moving to the coast for a number of years, then working his way to Williams Lake in 1986, and finishing his career as a consultant for a pulp and paper company.
Loving the countryside of the Cariboo, he retired to his cottage along with his canine friend of many years, where he would spend time enjoying reading and listening to music, overlooking his lake front property, with friends and family visiting often.
Fodchuk, Nestor Tuesday, 05 Dec 2006
Williams Lake, BC
Nestor Fodchuk was born in Willingdon, Alberta Jan. 7, 1939 and passed away peacefully in Williams Lake, B.C. Dec. 5, 2006.
He was one of 15 children born to Annie and Nick Fodchuk.
Nestor grew up helping out on the family farm. He then worked as a carpenter’s helper, a plumber and in a local hardware store. At the age of 25, Nestor married the love of his life, Eileen Cucheran.
As a young couple, they bought the Fodchuk family farm where they carried on the farming tradition until moving to Williams Lake in 1974.
Once in Williams Lake Nestor worked at Lignum’s, the Ministry of Forests in the carpentry and maintenance department, the Ministry of Highways, and finally CRS on the road maintenance crew where he retired in 1998 at the age of 58. Long after retiring, Nestor loved reminiscing about the guys from work. He was also the owner and operator of a successful family business, B.C. Clean-A-Lot Power Sweeping.
Family was the most important part of life to Nestor. He loved his wife Eileen of 42 years dearly.
He had a special love and relationship with each of his children; Brad, Tina and Diane. He was also very close with his son-in-laws Wolfgang and Darcy. All six grandchildren; Daeleen (deceased), Dustin, Amber, Erika, Sydney and Devyn have very fond memories of their “Papa.”
His family looked up to him so much as he was always there to lend his helping hand or to share his wisdom.
Nestor enjoyed building things, big or small.
He built the present family home in 1979 and helped all of his kids and friends with many building projects. The annual salmon fishing trip to Chilliwack was something Nestor looked forward to every year. He had a love for air crafts, space, and for playing his Fender electric guitar.
But most of all, Nestor loved spending time with his family.
Nestor was a genuine person who left a lasting impression with everyone he met. He was a loving husband, a caring dad, a special Papa and a loyal friend. Our memories of him will always be held close to our hearts. He will always be loved, missed, but never forgotten.
Love the entire family.
Gair, Norah Tuesday, 14 Nov 2006
Williams Lake, BC
It is sad to report that Norah Hutch Gair passed away in Kamloops, Nov. 14, 2006 from a fast growing cancer.
Norah was born Jan. 15, 1932 the eldest daughter of Bill and Annie Hutchinson (Hutch).
Hutches lived at Big Creek and Norah was born in the little hospital at Alexis Creek.
Norah was educated in a country school at Big Creek. She was married young to Tom Wilson and they had three daughters, Juanita, Bettyanne, and Cathy.
Cathy pre-deceased Norah in 1978.
Norah and her family have lived in Kamloops for over 35 years.
Her sisters, Eileen Beblow and Mary Robillard, also live in Kamloops.
Her sister Lucille lives in northern B.C. and brother Billy Hutch in Williams Lake.
Norah had many trials and heart aches in her life but never lost her indomitable spirit nor sense of humour.
She had a lovely laugh and almost to the end you could hear it ring out.
Norah’s husband, Simon Gair, pre-deceased her in 1999.
Goetjen, Lottie Saturday, 04 Nov 2006
Williams Lake, BC
Lottie Goetjen passed away Nov 4, 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born March 21, 1925 in Big Lake B.C. She spent her entire life in the Williams Lake area. She was pre-deceased by her husband Ed.
She is survived by her two sons Jim (Karen), and Ray (Bobbie); and her only grandson Jamey; Her brothers Ted Jefferson (Anne), Lawrence (Pete), Dan (Betty) and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by all.
A drop in service of her celebration of life will be held at the Terra Ridge Hall starting at 1 p.m. Friday Nov. 10, 2006.
In lieu of flowers Lottie has asked that donations be made to the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Trust Fund.
Her family especially appreciates Dr. Nita and the home care nurses for all the support they have given.
Rosner, Leokadia (Lottie) Thursday, 26 Oct 2006
Williams Lake, BC
Leokadia (Lottie) Rosner (nee Will) was born to parents Ludwig and Emilie Will, in Karolew, Poland on April 22, 1925 and went to meet her Lord on Oct. 26, 2006.
Lottie’s family moved to Zyrardow, Poland for four years where her father worked at a water mill. They then moved to a farm at Karolew, Poland.
Lottie worked hard on the farm and would also walk 13 kilometres to Mszczonow, Poland each week to sell butter and eggs, which were not sold by the dozen but by the egg.
Lottie was the first female in her village to put on a pair of pants. She thought if she did a man’s work she might as well be comfortable as she worked in the fields.
Lottie attended a small school in Karolew and completed Grade 8. Lottie could read and write Polish, Ukrainian, German, English, and understood Russian.
Lottie’s family farmed in the Karolew area until she was 16 years old when her family fled to Pargov, Poland. She lived there until 19 years of age working for a baron.
She worked in the fields, cleaning sugar beets and potatoes with a hoe.
She would also lead two horses pulling a potato hiller from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. each day. She had to work to support the family as her father was terminally ill.
In the spring of 1945 Lottie and her mother moved to Hademarschen, Germany where Lottie again worked for a large farm. She wanted to come to Canada and she came as a bride in January of 1948, her marriage having been arranged.
However, on the train trip from Halifax to Winnipeg she met a young man named Arnold Rosner and they were married on May 14, 1948 at Tolstoi, Manitoba.
Lottie and Arnold farmed in the Tolstoi area from 1948 to 1963. Lottie, during this time worked very hard alongside Arnold in the fields, with the dairy, also picking up and delivering cream to the creamery. There was never a job too difficult that she wouldn’t tackle. During this time they had two daughters, Edna and Lorraine.
In 1963 they sold their farm and moved to Williams Lake, B.C. as Arnold had family here.
Lottie very much enjoyed living in Williams Lake. In the early years she looked after many children until they were of school age. She was also very involved in church activities and when able, there wasn’t a meeting, retreat, or camp, that she would miss out on.
Lottie lived her faith. She was a great prayer warrior.
Lottie always said the Lord puts something on your heart and leaves it there until you do something about it and it gets done.
Lottie was also a great cook and baker. She made the most delicious apple pies. Everyone arriving at her door would immediately be offered something to eat. Her hospitality was wonderful.
Lottie had a wonderful sense of humour. She delighted in her family. She was so proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they adored her. Lottie was the kindest and most loving wife and mother in the world.
Lottie passed away at Cariboo Memorial Hospital, Williams Lake, B.C. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006. Lottie has earned her reward and Heaven will be the sweeter for her being there.
Lottie is survived by her husband Arnold, daughter Edna (Art) Erickson, daughter Lorraine (Gary) Hubbell, grandchildren Dana (Les) Boersma, Aaron Erickson, Teesha (Darren) Stutzman, Cory Lonnqvist, great-grandchildren Kaylie and Logan Boersma.
The family would like to thank Dr. Glenn Fedor for taking such good care of Lottie for the last 25 years. She had such implicit trust in her doctor.
We would also like to thank the nurses who cared for Lottie, and the Home Support workers who came daily to look after her.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, Oct. 30, 2006 at Calvary Church, William’s Lake, with Pastor Wes Dynna officiating. Interment followed at the Williams Lake Cemetery.
