of Edmonton
Oct 8, 2019
Born in Andijk, Netherlands, Bill passed away peacefully in Edmonton on October 8, 2019 into the comfort of God’s grace. Bill served in the Dutch Navy and came to Canada in 1953 to marry Elizabeth Jacobi. Bill and Elly settled in Edmonton and have been longtime members of the Christian Reformed Church and community. Building on his navy experience, Bill worked as an aircraft engineer, first with Pacific Western Airlines and then with the federal Ministry of Transport until his retirement in 1987. His family was everything to him, and he is remembered with deep love and affection by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth; by his four children, John, Henry, Rick and Valerie; by his grandchildren, Mia and Tys Klumpenhouwer, Willem Klumpenhouwer, Kai, Annalise and Finley Herrero, and Dirk and Willem Pereboom; and by great-grandson James Thompson. He was the only one of his own family to immigrate and is survived by his sister Gerda, brother Joop and their families in the Netherlands. Bill had a reserved strength that was always there to support his wife, family and friends. His quiet generosity and thoughtfulness, combined with an open smile and bright blue eyes, touched everyone who met him. For their love and care for our husband, Dad and Opa, the family is so grateful to the family, friends and neighbours who gave help and comfort to Bill and Elly over the last year. Thank you especially to the wonderful staff of the Palliative Unit at Capital Care Norwood and to Drs. Humphries and Clarke. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Inglewood Christian Reformed Church, 12330 – 113 Avenue, Edmonton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.