Gramps' long life of hard work and dedication is clearly evident in the cabin at Green Lake. Thank you so much for sharing that special place with us. We miss Gramps' stories and his laugh! Love to all the Couldwell/McCormack family.

Dear Jan,
We are very sorry to hear of Bill's death. He was a wonderful friend to me for most of my adult life. I will miss him.

Dear Jan and Family,
I was so sad to hear of the loss of Bill. He was a wonderful man and a great doctor. He had the respect and gratitude of so many of his patients who missed him when he retired. I appreciated the wonderful opportunity he gave me when I first joined his practice. He was supportive and a great mentor to me in so many ways. His honest and hardworking manner was an example for all of us and he kept his great humour even with the most difficult of patients. His love of his family and especially for you Jan, was so apparent to us all. I am sure he is missed by all of you as he is by us! Jan I hope you are feeling better, you have had a rough year. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

I have many fond memories of Bill, Jan and their family. Green Lake and the 108 course and the SueSan, building a soapbox for Andras, the Watermark and salmon fishing at Thrasher Rock are only a few. Bill would always greet you with a quick, cheerful smile and ready handshake. I will remember him with fondness and will miss him. My sincere condolences to Jan and family.

To the Couldwell Family
With great sadness our deepest condolences to you, Mrs. Couldwell, Susan, Sandra, Billy and grandchildren. Dr. Couldwell was an amazing, caring, kind Doctor and a proud, devoted family man. He was a wonderful, kind boss and friend. I feel blessed to have been a part of who
he was, and you Mrs. Couldwell and your wonderful children. My thoughts are with you.
Sincerely and with love,

Condolences to the whole family on the passing of Bill. It gives pause to think of the times at the Lake growing up with the Couldwell family.

The plane ride to the Lake with Bill, being taken waterskiing behind the Sue-San and in those later years helping Bill with some Lake projects. I'll miss the pre-Dinner cocktail hour and chit-chat with "Doc" on the deck.

Thoughts are with you all.

Dear Jan,

We were so sorry to hear that Bill has passed away. I know that times have been very tough for him recently and at least he is released from such hardship. Nonetheless, it is always sad for those left behind.

Marijke and I have very fond memories of the trip you and Bill made to Ireland all those years ago when we both so much enjoyed your company; it was a happy time for everyone and a proper souvenir of himself. It is astonishing how quickly the years fly by but at least the ageing process gives you time to reflect on the many good times that life has thrown up. Rest assured that Bill will always occupy a place in these happy thoughts. 

May he rest in peace.

Dear Jan,

A small note to let you know that we are thinking of you. This is such a sad time for you and for us as well. We can't quite grasp that Bill with his welcoming smile and his great enthusiasm, is no longer here.

Together you were a marvellous team and have left us all with a wonderful appreciation of family and a full and valuable life. You are much in our thoughts.

Dear Jan, 

Jack and I were so sorry to hear that Bill had passed away. We will miss his cheerful smile and his enthusiasm in all his endeavours. He and Jack shared many interest in common - medicine, fishing, hunting and golf and were so fortunate to have enjoyed so many happy hours together. We have both enjoyed being with you and Bill on many occasions - from our first adventure together in Alberta, and trips on your boat and visits both here and at your Green Lake home. Bill was a wonderful man, devoted to his practice, his family and his friends and we are so glad we had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Dear Jan and the Couldwell Clan, 

I was so sorry to hear about my pal Doc. So many memories; being his co-pilot flying to Green Lake, fishing in the "salt chuck" in his boat, cruising the back roads around 70 Mile House in his Bronco. He really loved B.C., and of course his family. What a legacy he has left. He was a hell of a guy and he will be missed. My sincere condolences to you and yours.

Jan and Family, Bill was a welcoming, respected colleague, always with wise and practical counsel.

Dear Jan, We were so sorry to hear from John that dear Bill had died on Easter Sunday. You have had such a prolonged rough time with your own health, it must have been so hard for you to be unable to be with him constantly as he gradually failed. Our deepest sympathy to you. The whole family of us have such happy memories of our time with you in 1994, including the wonderful excusions to Desolation Sound and Green Lake. Then we had the grat time at John and Hannah's wedding. I remember studying your up and over garage door and we have since installed a similar unit here! Remembering all those happy occasions makes us doubly sorry that we cannot be with you now, when you need our support. You are in our thoughts and prayers and please take care of yourself.

Having known Bill fairly well we know that you will all truly feel his absence. He was the core of your family, a force to be reckoned with, a mentor, a teacher, someone with a keen interest in life and all it had to offer. He was a husband, a Dad and a Grandpa that I am sure all of you will miss. Our thoughts are with you.

I'm speaking today on behalf of our Grandfather's 7 grandchildren.  Myself, Brendan and Liam, Andras, Mitchel, Sandrine and Genevieve.  Our Grandfather Bill, known to us all so affectionately as Gramps was a remarkable teacher, hard worker, and constant supporter.  He was never hesitant to take the time to pass on his knowledge, experience and wisdom.  Our collective memories hold series of life lessons that Gramps gave to us. These lessons in labour, leisure, and love were not always apparent or intentional, but none the less have left an impact on all of our lives.
As his grandchildren, he wanted to ensure that we carried on his legacy.  Perhaps the greatest lesson Gramps taught us was the value of hard work, and the tremendous rewards it may produce.  Gramps' stories of his early labouring jobs, medical school, and providing for his family were the best testament to his drive, persistence and determination.  As a self-made man of much accomplishment, we are today impressed at the attitude he took to keeping busy.  At Green Lake, it was not unusual to see him fiddling away at something, hunched over the bench in his workshop, well before the rest of the crew had risen for breakfast.  Be it through work or education, it was important to him that we not be idle. 
The virtues of patience, concentration, and dedication were taught through watching him delicately cutting and gluing wood to construct his model airplanes, or tinkering on some small engine that had been disassembled into a myriad of foreign and obscure pieces he could reassemble so easily.  He could patiently wait for ages for the right fish to strike his lure while trolling a lake.  I have distinct memories of his hands – hands that could wield the power of a hammer and shovel with ease, yet manipulate delicate threads with fine finesse while tying fishing flies and knots.
As young children the goals of his lessons in labour were not always immediately obvious to us, and occasionally not well received.  Up at the cabin at Green Lake, the daytime was often spent completing what felt like “make-work” projects of raking rocks on the beach, painting the deck, bucking up logs, or moving piles of lumber were sometimes met with protest.  We never understood the need to move piles of wood from point A to point B, when the next year we would inevitably move the wood from point B to point A.  Or collecting rocks on the beach that seemed to endlessly reproduce.  Unfortunately, when our poorly organized union of labourers clashed with management, management won – given the choice to use the boat in the evening or not, we inevitably succumbed to defeat, tied our laces, and set to work.  While I am sure our protest of “why bother?” and “what's the point?” were adequately answered, other youthful priorities of leisure interfered with understanding these explanations.
Yet today, if you walk to the water there is a beach with sand, and there are no trees at risk to fall on the roof.  There is firewood stocked where we need it, and 45 year old cabin the family has been able to enjoy making memories for years, and will continue for many more.  Eventually, that had work did pay off.  I can't tell you exactly when these things happened, but am enlightened that they have.
And the best part was that Gramps rarely failed to reward a hard day at camp with fishing trips, waterskiing, and hunting at Thanksgiving time.  We all have fond memories of bull's eying a 100 yard shot with the old .22, or making a perfect cast to land a nice rainbow.  Cabin projects in the day made the afternoons rewards all the more sweeter, and our memories of them fonder.
As we got older Gramps was always asking how we were making out at school and work.  He was a tremendous supporter of our education at high school and beyond.   I'm not sure how many times we have all been asked “when are you going to medical school?”  We may have disappointed him somewhat by choosing alternate paths, (I'm sure he's looking down at Sandrine as the last round in the chamber), but none the less he was still satisfied that we were keeping busy actively pursuing our own paths, and always let us know how proud he was of us.  Even in his final weeks, he lit up with delight and excitement when I told him that Brendan had been accepted to do his PhD, thrilled at the news.
What I grieve for is not so much the loss of the person, but more specifically the loss of the ability to create future memories and experiences.  We are saddened because we will not be able to see the same friendly smile, share laughter at the same jokes, or embrace in a familiar hug.  However we still each have collective and individual memories of Gramps.  We didn't lose them when he passed.  Our experiences, laughs, conflicts, conversations, and moments of love - are still very much alive.  Each time I'm tying a fishing knot and can't get it right, or piling wood from a newly fallen tree, or picking rocks off the beach I will be reminded of his presence and feel him standing beside me.  So, while saddened by our inability to create future memories, we are warmed by the opportunities to remember the special ones we have.
Gramps often spoke to me of how he was so thankful for having such a great life and family.  Even with all his triumphs and achievements he always had a sense of humility, thankful for the blessings and opportunities he was given.  It was always comforting knowing he was looking out for us, and thought of us in such a special way.
In closing, there is a line in one of the songs we have just heard/will hear from shortly that I think sums up the image of gramps we share: 
“take from the lessons, and be glad for the memories 
of the days we rode in the sun,
cuz after today there ain't no man can claim
we didn't have a good run”

John McCormack

Our family is very saddened to say good-bye to Bill and we know how much such a 'larger than life' man will be missed by Jan and her large extended family.  He was a credit to his community and enjoyed an expansive and meaningful life and career with all those who knew him.  The girls, in particular, will miss his presence 'at the Lake' where he hosted all, and many generations.  We feel blessed to have known him.  Brent, Kerry-Lynne, Beau, Donna and Lindsay Chapman

To the Couldwell Family,
Our sincere condolences. The Barkers have fond memories of our visit to your cabin in the late 50s. We still remember catching a large fish in a bucket right off shore! "Doc" Couldwell, a kind and generous man.
Bill Barker, son, Bob, and daughter, Kelly

Bill was a wonderful friend and it is difficult to imagine life without him. He shared with us his great love for the outdoors and we feel very privileged to have been included among his many friends. His warmth and generosity and the sharing of his family with us, will always be remembered.

 I first met Dr. Bill Couldwell when a friend arranged a appointment about 1965. He found, on that first appointment I had Glaucoma. Due to his diligence, it was caught early, and has been under control since. Over the years we developed a friendship as we had various similar interests, such as boating, the outdoors, fishing, etc. Reading his biography, I find there were many more similarities we  never did discuss due to the limited times we had at appointments. I enjoyed his company, as he always had a cheerful and positive outlook, and would brighten a day. I did not know much of his family or personal life, but wanted to pass on my condolences, as it seems Bill and I  were of a similar spirit.

On behalf of the Air Force Officers' Association I wish to convey our condolences to the Couldwell family on their loss.

Bill was a well-liked and highly respected member of our association.

He will be missed. We will remember him. 

PER ARDUA AD ASTRA

To the Couldwell Family: I have fond memories of Dr. Couldwell. As a little girl who was referred to him by my family MD, I was terrified to go to my appointment and will always remember how kind and gentle he was in explaining and examining my eyes and the problem I had. To this day I still go to same practice even though the Doctors have changed. Your dad was a wonderful doctor and a kind and gentle man. Sincerely,

It is with great sadness that we heard of Bill's passing. Such a wonderful man.
Our heartfelt condolences to Janet and her family.
- fondest regards -

Bill was a great friend , partner,and colleague. He had a great life. He will always be remembered for his Ipana smile and pleasant happy personality. He was an excellent and confident MD. We shared CF-WVQ for years.
All the Best to my very distant cousin Jan (Tupper).

I have such fond memories of the "Doc" from my teen years and early twenties.  Particularly loved how he would buzz the cabin on green lake when he was flying in so we would know to go pick him up.  So very very sorry for your loss .

I had the pleasure of knowing Gramps for close to fourteen years. Since his grandson John and I started dating in Grade 12, I had spent a lot of time with him in the city at family occasions and events and up at Green Lake.  Gramps has always been a larger than life character in the Couldwell/McCormack family so it is hard to imagine this world without his indomitable tenacity and spirit. I have many memories of him that I will always cherish. Gramps was always welcoming to me and kind to my family as well which I sincerely appreciated. 
To me Gramps is synonymous with Green Lake.  In my mind's eye I see him puttering around the cabin, working away on projects in his workshop or the garage.  I see him down at the beach or out on the dock looking at the view and taking it all in. I also see him as the leader of a work crew, making sure everyone was busy on cabin maintenance and not too relaxed ;-).  I remember sitting by the bonfire with him one time and he told me many stories of his childhood and youth in Quesnel and Burnaby.  Working hard was important to him, and I know he wanted the best for all of his family.  He was very proud of all his children and grandchildren and delighted in their successes. 
Gramps had some amazing turns of phrase that were reflective of a different time and era.  Some of the most hilarious things he would say would be politically incorrect but he was who he was and there was no apologizing for it. These are all the things that made him special, interesting and memorable. 
As I told John, we will have many stories to tell our future children about the "Legend of Wild Bill". Gramps, we love you and will always miss you, and know you are always with us in spirit. Love, Hannah (Chapman) McCormack

OBITUARY

Dr. William Bill John Couldwell

30 December, 1924 – 8 April, 2012

Ocean View Funeral Home & Burial Park

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