William "Willie" Laurence Wood

With great sadness, the family announces the death of William Laurence “Willie” Wood on Sunday, March 17, 2024. Surrounded by the love of his family and in the presence of his wife, Sonja and family friend, Laura Van Loon.

Willie will be missed by his family: Wife, Sonja; Sons, Walter (Tammie) and Warren (Nina); Grandchildren, Joel (Megan) and Vanessa (Cy); Bonus Grandchildren: Cale Crawford and Dori Crawford (Tate); Grandchildren’s Mother, Wendy Wood. He is also survived by his older brother, Ormond George Wood (Lut), his children Randy and Rhonda Wellicome (Cliff) and their families. As well, he is survived by his wife’s siblings: Alex Boyko (Viv) and their families; Brenda Wright (Murray) and their daughter; Dianna Moroz and her family; Linda Jones and her daughter; Sandra Waters (Murray) and their family; Elizabeth Ecker (Lyle) and their family; and Leonard Boyko (Carolyn).

Willie was predeceased by his Dad, James (Jim); his Mom, Rachel; Father-In-Law, John Boyko; Mother-In-Law, Mary Boyko and his Brother-In-Law Richard Moroz. Willie was born in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan on July 16, 1944 and lived in Dunblane, Saskatchewan until the age of 11, when the family moved to Saskatoon so his Dad could continue working with the CNR. Willie worked at several construction-related jobs until he landed the best job ever, as he called it, working for Neil Clark at Consolidated Mechanical Ltd., working there until Neil retired. Willie then obtained employment with the University of Saskatchewan, caretaking in the Education Building and McLean Hall. Willie loved his job there and made everlasting friends at the U of S.

Willie was a family man. He often became involved in many sports that his sons enjoyed: baseball, bowling, golf, hockey and swimming. He relished participating as a baseball area coordinator for minor softball. Many late nights at the Wood home occurred on work nights because Willie had the boys over after they flooded the rink at Thornton School or a boys’ discussion after a ball game, to which his wife would say, “Good night boys, I work tomorrow!”.

Family was everything to Willie, and, to him, family meant picking up Sonja and the grandmothers and off to the rink or field we went. He wanted to be involved in all aspects of his sons’ sports – fundraising, meetings, etc. The Wood Family has everlasting memories from these events as well as everlasting friends today. He always believed that true friendship was more important than anything else. Willie and Sonja treasured vacations with their close friends, Ron and Elaine Person and Willie always looked so forward to their guidance during these trips; he said they made him feel safe on those journeys.

Another thing that brought joy to Willie was the monthly trips to Calgary to visit with his grandchildren, Joel and Vanessa. Willie absolutely loved how the two kids would run down the staircase when they saw us arrive and jump into his arms. He always said that was worth the seven-hour drive. He also loved going to see them participate in Hapkido and school plays or musicals. He was always so proud to hear about the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and was eager to share those accomplishments with everyone!

Family and friends had been noticing some changes in behavior and at the encouragement of his good friend, Stan Johnson, Willie underwent medical testing, including an MRI. In February, 2021, the family got the news that Willie had Alzheimer’s Disease, which was rapidly advancing. The family will be eternally grateful to Dr. Khayyam and his team for the most professional diagnosis and care. Willie lived at home with his caregiver wife until December, 2023, at which time he was admitted to the awesome care of the staff at Stensrud Lodge.

The family wishes to thank everyone that were so supportive of Willie and truly understood how he couldn’t help his deteriorating health and were so supportive to include him in our visits. We wish to thank the tireless support of our St. Andrew’s church family, especially Laura Van Loon, who constantly visited and knew how to engage Willie up from his chair to do a dance with her in the middle of the living room.

Also, the Family wants to thank the superb staff at Stensrud Lodge. They went above and beyond being attentive to Willie’s needs as his health was going through a steep decline. Thanks, as well to the efforts of the Saskatoon Health Region in helping the family get a placement at Stensrud. The family would like to thank all the caring friends who have given of their time and who have brought oodles of food for the Family, and who sincerely care so much. Willie’s life was better because of each and every one of you.

A Service of Remembrance of Willie’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024 St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (436 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon), followed by a light luncheon downstairs after the service. A private family interment will occur at St. John’s Columbarium.

All your calls, texts and visits are gifts the family will eternally treasure. However, if you feel to want to contribute to a cause that would be meaningful to Willie, please feel free to donate to: Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan, Unit 301, 2550 – 12 Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X1 (Ph. 1-306-949-4141). Charity No. 12996 3617 RR0001. Stensrud Lodge, 2202 McEown Avenue, Saskatoon, SK S7J 3L6. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 436 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G6.

Arrangements entrusted to Brady Levesque.