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William Hlady was born on his family farm, (24,42,2, W3rd) on the eastern bank of the South Saskatchewan River near Rosthern Saskatchewan on March 17, 1933. He passed away at his home on October 4, 2023.
William was the seventh child of ten born to Ksenia and Alec Hlady who were first generation immigrants from Ukraine. He grew up doing farm chores, attending a rural school, and finishing high school at Rosthern.
Leaving the farm work to his Dad and brothers, he spent years of his young life working at interesting and uninteresting jobs. He learned to cook for a railway ‘extra gang’, he started a delivery business with a second-hand dump truck for the city of Saskatoon and tested the durability of tire composition for Dunlop Tires in Toronto. When the need arose to pay room and board in Toronto, he managed the up and down elevator transportation for Simpson Sear’s Department store.
Always having had a dream of flying, he applied and was accepted as an Officer-in-Training and Flight Cadet in the R.C.A.F. Stationed in Gimli, Manitoba he learned to fly a Harvard Mark 4 airplane. Dream achieved.
All that done and yet more to experience, he enrolled and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan, married Josephine Gabrielson in 1960 and accepted a teaching position in Pincher Creek in 1961. Thoroughly enthralled by the mountain vistas of the area, they searched and found a spectacular quarter section near Beaver Mines. It was there that he and Josephine settled and built their log house. This was the Free-To-Roam-Space where their five daughters (names) were raised and experienced what would become their store of memories.
On this quarter section, Bill revived his long dormant farming skills with tractor, cattle, and plow. He combined this lifestyle with a full-time job teaching chemistry at Matthew Halton High School. By 1975 he felt a change was due, so bought and operated a diner in the Crowsnest Pass. It was an interesting enterprise for a few years.
Bill embraced a role as Municipal Councillor from 1980-1986, followed by a term as a member of the Co-op Board of Directors. Both interesting commitments to his community. And always he kept the fires burning in his log house in the Foothills.
All five daughters finished high school at St. Michael’s in Pincher Creek and somewhere, somehow, along their way of life they were influenced by parents, teachers and perhaps by the Space To Roam at Beaver Mines, to develop enough self-discipline and determination to continue their education. Bill and Josephine proudly acknowledged the work done by the five to complete university degrees and later Masters degrees in their chosen fields of interest.
Bill and Josephine moved into Pincher Creek in 2020 and enjoyed a quieter life with family nearby. They loved the many visits from children and grandchildren for birthdays, holidays, and weekends. They created gardens and nurtured flowers; Bill even had a burdock plant growing in the yard, which is surprising as it was one of weeds he battled with all his farming/ranching years!
Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years Josephine; daughters: Teresa Hlady (Curtis Brackenbury) Pincher Creek, Lesia Atkinson (Leigh) Boulder, Colorado, Stephanie Hlady (Robert Van Roessel) Bow Island, Andrea Hlady (James Moller) Pincher Creek; son-in-law Stewart Montana- Siksika Nation; his brother, Bohdan Hlady (London, Ontario), sisters, Mary Heisler (Vegreville, AB) and Bernice Diamond (Boynton Beach, Florida); sister-in-law, Alice Hlady (Saskatoon); his wonderful grandchildren: Stephanie (John) MacDonald, Sarah (Lane) Hankel, Scott (Samantha) Schlachter, Jorgia Montana-Wildman (Colten Wildman), Mitchell Many Fingers, Ben and Josephine Atkinson, Meredith and Jake Van Roessel, Bella and Joel Moller; great-granddaughter Layla Hayley Wildman as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his daughter Hayley Robinson (2008), parents, Ksenia and Alec Hlady; brothers: Edward, Victor, Peter, James and sisters, Olga Bokshowan and Elsie Craig.
A funeral mass will be held at 3:00 pm on October 27, 2023 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Pincher Creek, with a social gathering to follow at the Pincher Creek Legion. All are invited to join Josephine and family to celebrate Bill’s life. Donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre – Food Hamper program or a charity of your choice.
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March 17 1933
October 4 2023
Death notice for the town of: High-River, Province: Alberta
death notice William Hlady Pincher Creek March 17 1933
October 4 2023
obituaries notice William Hlady Pincher Creek March 17 1933
October 4 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of William Hlady Pincher Creek March 17 1933
October 4 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.