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WILHELM (Bill) SAWATZKY
Wilhelm (Bill) Sawatzky, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, June 13, 2014 at the age of 84.
Bill was born in Grunthal, Manitoba on February 23, 1930. He met his sweetheart, Mary Schapansky, when he was 17 and she was 14. They married in 1951 and together they raised five children who will be forever grateful for the love and guidance that they taught by example. Bill and Mary farmed in Manitoba for 14 years before moving to Chilliwack, BC in 1965. They lived in town for 8 years, then moved to a hobby farm in Greendale (Blueberry Hollow) where they stayed for 20 years before moving to Sardis in 1993. In 1998 Bill retired from his truck driving job that he enjoyed with ICG. In his earlier years Bill enjoyed camping and fishing and looked forward to the annual fishing trip at Loon Lake with his children and grandchildren. Bill was a devoted father and grandfather and nothing gave him more pleasure than spending time with his family. Bill was a quiet, kind and gentle man and he will be dearly missed.
Bill is survived by his five children, Shirley (Brian), John (Carol), Janice (Elmer), Janette (Ernie) and Steve (Dedra); 12 grandchildren, Samantha (Brandon), Jennifer, Sarah, David, Shawn (Sarah), Robin (Sean), Charlene (Wayne), Trenton (Jessica), Theresa (Matt), Paul, Samuel and Grace; four great grandchildren, Lacey, Cody, Sawyer and Owen; step grandchildren, Paul (Jessica), Scott, Rod (Ruth), Gary (Lori), Stan (Wendy) and their children; extended family Emile and Carolyn and their children, Ryan and Breanne; sister Betty, sisters-in-law Margaret, Tina (Henry), Lena, brother-in-law Bernie, and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was predeceased by his dear wife, Mary, in 2012; his parents Wilhelm and Maria Sawatzky, sisters Mary and Margaret, brothers-in-law Peter, Frank, Aaron, Abe, Jake and Herman; sister-in-law Margaret.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the River of Life Church, 42369 South Sumas Rd, Chilliwack, BC.
If so desired, in lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC BC), Box 2038, Abbotsford, BC V2T 3T8.
As published in The Carillon on Jun 24, 2014