Obituary
Odell, William David
1953-2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of David Odell, on Wednesday, 13 July, 2022, at Willow Cottage, Edmonton, after a long illness.
David was born in Wetaskiwin on July 30, 1953. He spent his childhood here, graduating from Wetaskiwin Composite High School in 1973. He lived in Edmonton for most of his adult life, but returned to his hometown in 2008, and was a constant and close companion to his mother, Biddy, in her last years.
David’s lifelong interests were music and movies. He enjoyed singing, and as a young adult, he took part in musical productions, including Anne of Green Gables during a summer term at the Banff School of Fine Arts. He also loved listening to music, especially the recordings of performers of earlier generations: Al Jolson, Benny Goodman and most of all, Bing Crosby.
David had an amazing memory for the details of the lives and works of singers and musicians of that era, and also of actors and movies, starting from the earliest Hollywood productions. He did volunteer work for much of his life, with his final ‘gig’ showing old movies for patients at Wetaskiwin Hospital. He took films on VHS or DVD from his vast personal collection, and introduced each one, recalling from memory the details of the actors and the film’s production.
David was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Biddy Odell, and his great nephew, Steven James Swainson Jr. He leaves to mourn his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Noreen Odell of Red Deer; his sister and brother-in-law, Liz and Julian Matthews of Waikanae, New Zealand; nieces Andrea Swainson (Sylvan Lake) and Erin Odell (Red Deer), and their husbands, Steve Swainson and Matt Morris; nephews Rob, Ian and Doug Matthews (Wellington, New Zealand); great-nieces Anne Swainson and Norah Morris; great-nephews Spencer, Billy and Logan Swainson, and Wesley Morris; and many cousins.
A memorial service for David will take place at First United Church, ( 5115-51 Avenue) Wetaskiwin on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial Service will be live streamed. Donations may be made to UNICEF (www.unicef.ca) or the Alberta SPCA.(albertaspca.org)
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William David Odell July 30 1953 July 13 2022 (age 68)..
Death notice for the town of: Wetaskiwin, Province: Alberta