GUTHRIE, William Ray (Bill)
May 1, 1943 — October 26, 2018
It is with profound sadness and sorrow that I (Marilyn Guthrie) announce Bill’s sudden passing, after a short one-week battle with aggressive lung/liver cancer.
Bill was born on May 1, 1943 in Calgary, AB to John and Evelyn Guthrie. His father worked in the oil patch, so they moved frequently around Alberta, but he received most of his schooling in Edmonton, AB. He married young and he and Irma have one son. After giving up the cowboy way of life, he sold cars in Edmonton and got his Private Pilot’s license. They moved to Kelowna where he obtained his Commercial Pilot’s license and flew for Caribou Air as a bush pilot. Bill and I were married February 14, 1969. He lived a very colorful life, not only as a pilot but also a Country Taxi owner/driver in Westbank, BC, selling newspaper advertising for both the Kelowna Daily Courier and the News Advertiser, and working for Frontier Manufacturing of Industrial Trailers. His most rewarding career was with Interior Health for over 20 years working in Material Management as Supervisor and lastly in Pharmacy Inventory, from which he retired in 2005.
His love of horses was evident from very young and, when he was older, he rode for the Edmonton Sheriff’s Posse (all Palominos) as well on two long distance Centennial rides with Calgary, AB’s Sam Steel Scouts Commemorative (RCMP) Troup – in 1985 (NorthWest Rebellion of 1885), riding from Fort Saskatchewan, AB to Loon Lake, SK and then again in 1987, riding from Fort MacLeod, AB to Fort Benton, MT, USA with 80 other troopers.
He was a great “sharp-shooter” who joined the Kelowna Black Powder Club (BEAR Club) and, as a “mountain man,” he qualified to shoot in two BC Summer Games.
Bill was a member of both the Kelowna and Peachland Yacht Clubs, past member of the Peachland Riding Club and current member of the Peachland Sportsmen’s Association. He was also a proud past member of Peachland Community Policing – serving as President, Past President, Vice President and Speed Watch Co-ordinator with over 20 years of service. In 2007 and 2008 he received an RCMP award “In Recognition and Appreciation of Outstanding Contribution and Dedication to the Citizen’s Patrol and Speed Watch Programs.” In 2008, he was awarded the “Spirit of Peachland Civic Award – Freedom of the Municipality” and in 2013 we received the “Councillor’s Award of Merit” from the Peachland Municipality.
In 2012, Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and, with its progression, was unable to continue volunteering or with most of his hobbies.
He will be sadly missed by me, his wife Marilyn and his son Bill Jr. as well as his sister Del Dennis, brothers John and David (Shirley), brothers-in-law Borden Tarapaski, Harvey (Penny) Ross and Gordon (Melanie) Klontz, numerous nieces and nephews and of course many friends and co-workers.
We wish to give heartfelt thanks to all the medical staff (ER/4A) for their excellent care and compassion not only to Bill but to me and his two nieces. A very special thank you to Drs. Purdon and Naude.
Bill will be cremated and there will be no service at his request. A Celebration of Life will be planned for May 2019. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of GUTHRIE William Ray Bill May 1 1943 — October 26 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique