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McLeod, William John (Bill)

September 17, 1917

to January 31, 2009

Of White Rock, passed away peacefully at the Peace Arch Hospital. Predeceased by parents Norman and Catherine Lena, sisters Effilena, Delinah (Del) and brothers Ian (Ike) and Jack. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Dorothy (Dot), son Norman (Toni) and daughter Lorie (Andy); grandchildren Isolde (Jeremy) and Arwen and great - grandson Mitchell. He is also survived by his sister Margaret (Peggy). Bill was born in Wawota, Saskatchewan; as Bill liked to say, he decided at the age of one to move the family to Brandon, Manitoba where he lived until 1947. During World War II he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and while stationed in Alberta met Dot and later moved to Calgary to work while they saved money for their future together. Dot and Bill were married in Edmonton January 1947. After working in the oil patch for more than 10 years, travelling throughout the prairies and British Columbia, Bill and Dot settled in Hudson's Hope in 1959, where Bill worked as a ferry operator and later as a soils and instrumentation technician on the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, later going on to work at the Mica Creek and Revelstoke dams. During his career, he invented instruments and demonstrated a keen interest in his work, and enjoyed finding solutions to challenging problems. Retirement brought Bill and Dot to White Rock where they joined the local Seniors' baseball team, played bridge and entertained many family and friends, along with their beloved "Big Foot" over the years. Bill excelled in sports throughout his life, playing baseball, basketball, hockey and volleyball in his youth, later coaching baseball and hockey teams and curling up to his 82nd year. Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. We will miss his humour, gentleness, thoughtfulness and generosity of heart and spirit. Bill will also be remembered for his commitment to his daily newspaper and walk. He embraced life with a ready smile and a welcoming heart. May he rest in peace. No service by request. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice.