It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Stone on May 11, 2024, at the age of 91 years.
After narrowly surviving an aneurysm 45 years ago, he always spoke of being blessed to have had so many more years to enjoy life and he tried to live life to the fullest. One of his favourite sayings, when asked how he was doing, was to respond with “I’m in great shape for the shape I’m in.”
Bill was born in Edmonton on January 15, 1933, to Arthur and Barbara (Babs) Stone. He grew up on a farm in the Peers area near Edson, Alberta, with his parents, sister Audrey and brother Frank. Another sister, Rita, died in infancy.
Bill started his career in the banking industry at the very early age of 16 by walking into the bank and asking the bank manager if he would hire him. Bill and his first wife Glenda (Steed) had two daughters Dawn and Lynn. His long career in banking saw a move from Edmonton to Winnipeg and back to Alberta, eventually settling in Calgary, where he retired as a regional vice president of mortgages across Canada. It is in Calgary where he met and married his sole mate Barbara (Barb) Jankowski in June 1982.
Retirement saw Bill and Barb move to Vancouver, but when a dear friend introduced them to the Sunshine Coast, they fell in love with Powell River BC and settled there. They did not sit idle, but managed a Kiwanis senior apartment. They loved to camp and took their fifth wheel on a yearlong trip through Canada and the United States.
After Barb’s sudden passing in 1995, Bill continued to live in Powell River and be as active as he could. He enjoyed golfing and competitive curling well into his senior years. He took up carpet and lawn bowling, was an avid dancer, and his love for card games never stopped.
Bill was fortunate to have Dawn move to Powell River and spend 13 years sharing a home. In 2022, they both left Powell River and moved to Peace River, taking up residence in Heritage Towers. Bill quickly met many new friends at the Towers and loved spending his days playing pool. Little did his family know that he was a pool shark. His mind was as sharp as a tack and he never passed up a game of cards with family. He enjoyed all the family time in Peace River and the many family suppers, which were usually followed by a card game or two.
Bill will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts. He is survived by his daughters Dawn Stone and Lynn (Ed) Haunholter, his two grandchildren Derrick (Nick) Antson and Megan Haunholter, his brother Frank, nephews, nieces and many friends both in Powell River and Peace River.
A celebration of life for Bill will take place in the summer of 2024.
