WILLIAM GEORGE (BILL) BALLANCE -

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WILLIAM GEORGE (BILL) BALLANCE 1933 - 2009 On February 4, 2009 at 12:40 a.m., Bill Ballance passed away peacefully with Jackie at his side, at the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie, Alberta at the age of 75. Bill was born on March 9, 1933 in Deepdale, Manitoba, the second of seven children born to Harry and Anne Ballance. Bill grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His first job was with CP Rail and in 1952 he met his loving wife of 54 years, Jacqueline Jackie Ballance (nee Smith). In 1955 Bill and Jackie moved to Dryden, Ontario where he started his electrical career. They returned to Winnipeg in 1960 where Bill began a sales career with James B. Carter. In 1966 the family spent one year in Toronto; later they returned to Winnipeg where Bill worked with Cutler-Hammer and a year later joined NEDCO. Bill helped open new branches in Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie and in 1976 the family moved to Grande Prairie where Bill managed NEDCO and then Westburne Electric and retired in 1998. In his early years Bill excelled at hockey, baseball and curling; later he enjoyed hunting, golfing and snooker with his many friends. He was an active member of the community and served in several roles with Associated Canadian Travellers (ACT). Bill had a healthy respect for the outdoors that he instilled in his children; the family took numerous camping trips across Western Canada and his love of gardening always brought a bumper crop of tomatoes. Always the consummate handyman, Bill enjoyed working on numerous projects big and small for himself and others. Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and co-workers, and people were drawn to his gregarious character, his sense of humour and his verve for storytelling. Bill is survived by his devoted wife Jackie and their four children: Lesley (Myron) Karpiak, Geoff Ballance, Joanne Ballance, Patti (Karen) Ballance; grandchildren, Jason (Erin) Berg, Jodi (John) Minton, Anthony Karpiak, Jaclyn Karpiak, Sadie Ballance and Oliver Ballance; great-grandchildren, Jordan Brown and Ryan Minton; siblings, Isobel (Hank) Zimmerman, Margaret (Cliff) Williams, Merilyn Ballance, Jim (Betty) Ballance, Gerri (Ron) Wilkinson, Randy (Lynne) Ballance and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Anne Ballance. The family would like to thank Dr. Mequenant, EMS, staff at the QEII Hospital emergency department, 1-East Mackenzie Place, 5-North, the Care Team, Homecare, and the Adult Day Program for the respectful and dignified care given to Bill. Memorial gifts may be made to the QEII Hospital Foundation in support of the Adult Day Program, Cancer Clinic or Palliative Care or to the charity of one's choice. A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Oliver's Grande Prairie Funeral Chapel. A luncheon will follow at the Golden Age Centre. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversgrandeprairie.com Oliver's Grande Prairie Funeral Chapel Crematorium 10005-107 Ave. Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V-1L8 (780)532-2929 Dedicated Service Since 1915

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 06, 2009