William Edward (Bill) Deitz passed away peacefully on September 8, 2020 at the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, Alberta at 86 years of age.
Son of Jack and Hilda (Kjorn) Deitz, Bill was born on October 2, 1933 in Bassano, Alberta and was the baby of the family, with 6 older brothers and sisters.
Growing up in the Milo area, William met Lois Kennedy when she arrived in town to teach with her friend Lucille Thorstenson (who later married Bill’s brother David). They were married on August 16, 1957. They settled in a home on the original Deitz homestead and took up farming, soon to be joined by four children, Lynn, Lloyd, Gerald and Wes. They spent time raising their children, farming, camping and being active in the Milo community.
Bill was a charter member of the Milo Lions Club since 1955 and was a life member of the Milo Curling Club. He was highly involved in the community and loved to get out and spend time with friends and family. He was, much to the chagrin of the many members of his family, an Edmonton Oilers and Eskimos fan and would never miss an opportunity to talk about his favourite teams. In his later years he spent time supervising the work at the farm and was often seen driving around in the Kubota to check on everything. He loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – often fishing, playing card games, attending hockey games or just spending time watching the kids play. He loved ice cream and never missed an opportunity to visit Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone when he was out.
Bill is survived by his children Lynn (Terry), Lloyd, Gerald (Ginger), and Wes and their families. These include his grandchildren Kari (Brian), Jody (Andrew), Corey (Danielle), Nicole and Jaxson, and his great grandchildren, Colby, Maelle and Rory.
He is survived by a brother David Deitz of Milo, as well as the rest of the extended Deitz “clan”, including numerous nieces, nephews, their spouses and families. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Donald (Donnie) Kennedy, sisters-in-law Marjory Saunders and Marion Kennedy, brother-in-law Garth Saunders and additional Kennedy family nieces and nephews and their families. William was predeceased by wife Lois in 2006, his parents Jack and Hilda, brothers Robert and Donald, sisters Iona, Marjorie and Maxine and other members of their families.
Due to current gathering restrictions, a private family graveside service will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 1 pm. A further service may be held at a later date. The family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers at this time.
Any tributes in Bill’s memory can be made to the S.T.A.R.S. – 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, AB, T2E 8M7 OR Parkinson Association of AB – 120, 6835 Railway St SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2V6.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. Condolences may be shared at www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.