William "Bill" John Clewes

William John "Bill" Clewes was born April 4, 1960, in Hayden County, Colorado, USA. His father Tom was a professor of Engineering and the family moved around the USA and Canada. Bill lived in Pointe-Claire, Quebec as a child and Regina, then moving to Saskatoon for his high school years at Evan Hardy. He went to Lethbridge College to study Communication Arts as he wanted to become a sports broadcaster. It was there they met Lisa Marie Ford, who was studying the same thing.

Bill and Lisa started dating while in college. Bill was on the golf team and Lisa on the basketball team. A love of sports was one of the many things they shared. They married on July 28, 1984, and on the same day four years later, son Logan was born.

Bill worked at CJWW Radio where he fulfilled his dream of doing play by play for the Saskatoon Blades. In December of 1992, another son Hayden was born. The boys also shared a love of sports and Bill coached them both in baseball and hockey.

As the boys got older, Bill and Lisa started to travel. Trips usually had a sporting theme. Golf trips to Phoenix and Jamacia and of course baseball spring training. Some baseball highlights include watching Logan play NCAA ball in Idaho and Kansas. Also attending the World Baseball Classic in Phoenix where Bill and Lisa got to see a brawl break out between the Canadian and Mexican squads. The Canadian ball players fought like hockey players.

A memory that gave Bill great joy was finally seeing his beloved Cubs win the World Series in 2015.

For Bill’s 65th birthday, the only thing he wanted was to see Hayden act in a play he was performing in Vancouver. Lisa and Bill surprised Hayden on opening night and had a very special weekend with their youngest son.

Bill’s last few years were spent marshalling at Holiday Park Golf Course, where he made some great friends and kept Lisa updated daily on the progress of the duck and geese families on the course.

Bill was very social and had a great sense of humor, so Lisa and Bill spent many evenings enjoying a drink and laughing all night about anything and everything.

For all his trying, he was one of the most unhandy men on the planet. He would attempt fixing or installing something and Lisa would quietly call-in professionals to do it correctly without Bill knowing.

Children and animals were drawn to him. “Uncle Bill” would play with nephews and nieces for hours and was the biggest kid of the bunch.

He liked to rescue animals and Lisa dubbed him the Patron Saint of the unwanted. Bill had a big heart and would do anything for a friend or family member. He called Lisa “Chopper” since college days and occasionally “Big Foot” as he often told her he could hear her coming for a mile with her heavy feet.

In his final moments on November 15, 2025, he whispered ‘Chopper” to Lisa and passed away peacefully.

Lisa, Logan and Hayden would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers who helped Bill in his last month of life. EMT’s, Home Care Nurses and of course all the wonderful people on the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing are asked to please make a donation to St. Paul’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit or to a Children’s Sport Charity of your choice.

Most of all, pour a glass of beer and celebrate Bill’s wonderful life.

Bill is predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Marion Clewes and mother-in-law Lorna Marie Ford.

He is survived by his wife Lisa; his sons Logan and Hayden; father-in-law and his spouse Gary and Sharon Bratt; stepfather-in-law Robbie, sister Star; sisters-in-law Lindsay Ford and family and Lani Ford and Family.

A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held in the summer of 2026. Details to be announced.

From Hayden:

I love you Dad. I know you can’t read this now, but you were always the best storyteller. I didn’t care if it was the first or twelfth or five millionth time I heard the story, it was always captivating. I don’t know how much was always true, but I loved sitting back in the garage, by the fire in the back, our sleepovers on the couch or in the middle of the boonies by a campfire. Everyone loves you so much. I say “loves” because you will never die Billy.

Now you’re cooking with Jello.

I love you Dad. You’re my old man. Always and forever.