On December 18, the 88 year life of Bill Picton peacefully faded with his closest family by his side. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Dorothy Picton, his daughter Taralyn Picton (Jim Harris), son Bruce Picton (Corey), grandchildren Rob Picton (Kendra), Zach Picton (Kelly), Natasha Harris, Maxwell Harris, and great grandchildren, Maddy and Miles.
Bill’s journey began in St. Catherine’s, Ontario. As a young man, Bill enjoyed a variety of sports. He loved basketball and played on the St. Catherine’s Athletics lacrosse team, winning the Minto Cup Junior A Championship in 1950.
Bill attended the Royal Military College in Kingston. In 1953, Bill began a successful career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and proudly trained at RCMP Depot in Regina. While stationed in Agassiz, BC, Bill met his future bride Dorothy. The couple married in 1958 and settled in Regina, where Bill was in the RCMP Crime Detection Laboratory. His forensic science career continued with an Honors Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Saskatchewan. In April, 1967, the young family relocated to Edmonton where Bill continued his work in the new RCMP Crime Detection Laboratory. Bill’s focus on impaired driving countermeasures for the RCMP included teaming nationally and internationally with pioneers in the field. He was honored to become a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. After 25 years of service, Staff Sergeant Bill Picton retired from the RCMP. He remained connected to, and cherished, his RCMP friends his entire life.
Bill seamlessly transitioned from the RCMP to entrepreneur as he founded DWI Alcohol Testing Ltd. Bill was successful in building a loyal team that provided maintenance and repair services for impaired driving countermeasures equipment to police forces throughout Western Canada.
Bill’s lifelong learning and interest in the law led to him graduating with a Law Degree from the University of Alberta in 1984.
At age 65, Bill and Dorothy became snowbirds in Arizona. For 22 years, they wintered at Apache Wells Golf and Country Club in Mesa, Arizona. Active members of both the community and the golf course, Bill and Dorothy’s home away from home surrounded them with a wonderful and fun group of friends.
Bill’s life was filled with learning and adventure. Each path on his journey introduced new friends and colleagues. Bill was talented and smart. Bill was at home in the cabin he built with the help of friends at Lake Isle. Bill built lifelong friendships and never lost his passion for his family, the RCMP, conservative politics, law, science, and sports. Bill’s family is his legacy and we will miss his wisdom and sharp sense of humor.
Our family wishes to extend our appreciation to the many friends and neighbors of Bill and Dorothy, who have made their lives a joy and helped them along the way. Your kindness and friendship were important in Bill’s life. His family intends to hold a celebration of Bill’s life and friendships at a later date.
Bill’s wish was to make his final resting place the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cemetery in Fort Saskatchewan. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill’s name to the Salvation Army, the RCMP Veteran’s Association, or the Palliative Care Unit Edmonton General Hospital.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William “Bill Robert Picton 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta