Willard James Williams June 20/1944 (Edmonton, AB)- Oct. 27/2020 (Kamloops, BC)
Willard James Williams passed peacefully from this life on the morning of October 27th, 2020, lovingly surrounded by his brother and sister.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta on June 20, 1944, second of 3 children, Willie has always been on the move and rarely known to sit still for long. After spending a few years on the prairies, Willie and his family settled in Vancouver in 1948. As a teenager in the 1950’s, Willie was eager to work and found employment in many forms, beginning with fetching rowboats on Lost Lagoon in Stanley park and moving on to work as a cook for the White Spot. The Pacific National Exhibition was a highlight of Willies life and where he began his career as a showman, starting as a cook and ride operator. Not long after, Willie joined the travelling carnival “Gayland Shows” where he befriended owner Tiny Nichols and lifelong friend, Mark Wagner. Touring the Western Canadian rodeo circuit with the show gave Willie the adventure he sought and infected him with a penchant for travel. In 1972, Willie married Carole Jenkins and they were blessed a year later with a son. Willard’s nickname was “Willy The Wisp” as he loved to dance and was always the life of any party! Throughout the years, Willie came to appreciate many of the finer things in life and was always seen to be well dressed in fashionable clothes, (especially his shoes!). Being known as a spontaneous fellow, Willie would often jump on a flight at the spur of the moment and return months later with wild tales of time spent in Mexico, Hawaii or Costa Rica (no one knows where he really went. LOL!) although he always returned to Vancouver which he called his home. Willie was very fond of children and the elderly and would often go out of his way to gently tease them and do his Donald Duck impressions.
“Willie” is survived by his son, Jason Williams (Galen) of Castlegar, B.C and grandson William Hays (Shea) of Climax, SK as well as his sister Alice Horie (Malcolm), brother Ervin Williams (Lynda), Kamloops, B.C., and Aunt Evelyn Scott (Willis) of Vegreville, AB. He is also survived by his niece, many nephews and cousins from across Western Canada.
Willie is lovingly remembered by his close friend and confidant of many years, Dianna Seely of New Westminster, B.C.
Willie is predeceased by his father Roger Williams, mother Leone Utne and stepfather Ed Utne.
Willie’s family would like to thank the staff at Ponderosa Lodge in Kamloops for the exceptional care he received in his final years.
In light of the current Covid pandemic, a private gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Willard James Williams 1944 –..
Death notice for the town of: Kamloops, Province: Colombie britanique