William Lindemere Day

Bill was born in Vancouver, BC in 1933 to Fanny and Joseph Friend Day. He was predeceased by his ex-wife of 42 years, Joan Day née Titterington.

He graduated from King Edward High School, as well as the University of British Columbia where he earned his Bachelor of Arts (1954) and Master of Education (1964) degrees. Bill always cherished education—he worked a fulfilling career as an adult educator within educational institutions including the University of Rajasthan, Douglas College, and UBC.

He was a driving force in Canadian adult education; his contributions included establishing night school adult high school equivalency classes during his early years teaching high school in Maple Ridge, developing extension programs to improve basic literacy in rural Rajasthani villages, and working from Douglas College's foundation as Dean of Continuing Education and President. After his retirement from the College Bill worked as a consultant, with Saskatchewan's Wascana community college system, and subsequently as a Citizenship Judge. The impact that Bill had on accessible education in Canada is considerable and valued by his large, loving community. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded Membership in the Order of Canada and received the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal.

He was a great lover of dancing, and of listening to a broad range of music including pop, classical, folk and world music, and was a multi instrumentalist who played the ukulele, harmonica, jay harp and dulcimer with verve with an often surprising and vast array of songs at his fingertips. In his later career Bill took great pleasure in taking long rides on his Goldwing motorcycle and completing multi day rallies such as the Canada to Mexico Three Flags Classic.

After he truly retired, Bill volunteered in the Hedley, BC area, including for the Princeton Folk Festival, and when his motorcycling years were behind him, maintained and operated his beloved Model A Ford pickup truck, Nelly. Throughout his life, Bill prioritized his connections with friends and family; always ensuring that he maintained contact with old friends and new alike. Bill was beloved by his surviving family members: his three daughters and two sons Alison, Vivian, Michael, Gordon and Suzanne; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. He will be sorely missed by his sister, Ann, and by his cousins.

A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held Friday, September 27, 2024 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at the Annacis Research and Event Centre, Delta, BC. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Douglas College Foundation William L. (Bill) Day Bursary, established in honour of his unwavering commitment to education and student success, would be greatly appreciated. The family wishes to thank the staff at Granville Gardens for their extraordinary love, kindness and care over the past three years.

When I am gone, release me, let me go,

I have so many things to see and do,

You must not tie yourself to me in tears,

Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave to you my love, you can only guess,

How much you gave to me in happiness,

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

But now it’s time i travelled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must,

Then let your grief be comforted by trust,

It's only for a while that we must part,

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away, for life goes on,

So if you need me, call and i will come,

Though you can’t see or touch me, I will be near;

And if you listen with your heart,

You will hear all my love around you, soft and clear.

And then when you must come this way alone,

I will greet you with a smile and say

"WELCOME HOME"