William George “Bill” Cockwill passed away at Vulcan Community Health Center on Sunday, June 15, 2003 at the age of 84 years.
Bill was born in Vulcan on August 20, 1918 and was the second son of five children born to Sydney and Ellen Cockwill. He attended school in the Eastway District. On January, 1940 Bill enlisted in the Royal Canadian Armed Forces. He trained in Calgary and was then sent to London and continental Europe. During Bill’s service with the R.C.A.F., he received a Victory Medal, Defense Medal, Canadian Volunteer Medal and France and German Star.
Bill returned home to Eastway in March, 1946. In 1947 Bill bought a farm in the Eastway District. In 1948 he married his wife of 55 years, Eunice. They started their farm life on the north slope of the Buffalo Hills. Bill loved the Buffalo Hills and farming. In 1992 they purchased a home in Vulcan where they resided. Even though Bill had moved to Vulcan, he continued to visit the farm daily. Bill enjoyed traveling with his family, his most recent trip being a cruise to Alaska
Bill loved his family and part of that was working at community events which included 4H. He especially enjoyed watching his daughter Betty receive trophies. When Bill was tending the animals, he was never known to open gates, he always went over them. He was an outdoors person who loved nature and growing things. Once he moved to Vulcan, Bill enjoyed gardening and planting flowers in his yard. He especially enjoyed trips to the garden centers buying flowers for his garden
Bill had the great fortune to be a part of his nieces and nephews lives. He enjoyed the birthday celebrations and holiday parties hosted by his extended family. Bill enjoyed watching the new generation of farmers work the land with the big implements. He was very fussy about his tractors but liked his team of horses the best. Bills’s passion was horses and attending rodeos with his family that included extended families.
Bill will be sadly missed by his loving wife Eunice, daughter Betty (Gary) Jorgensen and three grandchildren Grant, Ian ( Jaye) and Lesley all of Calgary.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Sydney and Ellen Cockwill, one brother Buck (Helen), three sisters Lillian (Ray) Onstad, Bertie (Archie) Oldfield and Grace Cockwill, and a good friend and neighbor Charlie Strum.
Funeral Service on Thursday June 19, 2003 at 1:30 P.M. at the Peter Dawson Lodge in Vulcan with Rob Moore D.M. officiating.
Interment Vulcan Cemetery
If friends so desire tributes in Bill’s memory could be made to either S.T.A.R.S., 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 8M7 or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com