Obituary
It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert Regan Peere Williams-Freeman, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, announce his passing at the Fort Macleod Hospital on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. After a lengthy illness, our Dad passed away at the age of 91 years old.
Our father was born on March 29. 1928, to George Napier Peere and Emily Alice Williams-Freeman who emigrated from Shropshire, England, when he was only one year old. He was born to a distinguished and military family in Great Britain. As the third child, he was predeceased by his sister, Naomi, and brother-in-law, Vernon Foster; brother, Peere (Anne and family). One surviving brother and his family, Anthony (Renee -deceased) reside in Montreal, P.Q.
His family took up residence in the Vermilion, AB, area where they farmed and cultivated the land during the Depression. He left home at a young age to find employment in the farming, lumber and -railroad industries. He then decided to attend Alberta College in Edmonton, to complete his education. It was here that he met our mother, Georgina Davis, from the Blood Reserve, who was also completing her education at Alberta College.
They married on the Blood Reserve and had six children: Shirley (Bruce Fowler), Barbara, Grant (Carol), Kerry (Becky), Dana (Lianne), and Richard (Lori). Our father was predeceased by our mother, Georgina, our brother, Richard, and granddaughter, Georann. He was also predeceased by our mother’s parents, Bertha and George Davis, and great-grandparents, Rosie and Charlie Davis, Dorothy and Joe Bull Shields.
To date he had 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren whom he loved and adored. Their special name for him was Bama. He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, native and non-native.
Our father began his career in the irrigation business where he became a Certified Agricultural Irrigation Designer. He earned a position as General Manger of Oliver Irrigation, the largest Valley Pivot dealership in Canada and for many years traveled the western provinces, and most of the U.S.A. Even after retiring he kept busy part-time designing and selling Reinke Irrigation systems. He was presented with the Crawford Reid Award by the Irrigation Association in 1988, for significantly advancing both the irrigation Industry and a high standard of irrigation technique and procedure.
He became a private pilot so that he could increase the range of his business contacts. Subsequently, he became a Director and Past President of The Lethbridge Flying Club. One of his great passions was flying an airplane, as well as enjoying lifelong friendships with his fellow flying buddies.
After retirement, Dad moved to an acreage north of Fort Macleod. He eventually became President of the Fort Macleod Seniors Center, where he loved to spend time laughing and playing pool with the seniors. It was at this time he developed a special relationship with his good friend, Betty Abramenko. He also joined Rotary Club International in Ft. Macleod, helping with the fundraising, and wishing he could help drive the donated buses on the tequila run to Mexico (Ole).
It is so hard to let our Papa, Bama, Friend, and Treasure, leave our loving arms, but we know that now he is at peace, and he will be dancing with the angels.
If you so choose, donations may be made to Fort Macleod Welcome Mat Seniors Center, Box 181, Fort Macleod AB T0L 0Z0, in his name.
To send flowers to Robert’s family, please visit our floral section.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Williams-Freeman March 29 1928 December 31 2019 (age 91)..
Death notice for the town of: Fort-Macleod, Province: Alberta