William Laurence Portman

Gently, peacefully, without pain or anxiety, William Laurence (Bill) Portman quietly slipped away on the afternoon of December 11th, 2014 in his 88th year from complications of prostate cancer. He was born in Kamloops on August 17th, 1927, the 2nd youngest child of ten. His parents and grandparents were early settlers in the area. His boyhood was spent growing up in Westwold, a community he cherished all his life and where he attended many reunions and celebrations over the years, maintaining long established friendships and never losing his love of all things western: rodeo, ranching, livestock and country music. Like many of his generation, he was forced to give up dreams of higher education in order to go to work and help his family during the Great Depression and its aftermath. He had always wanted to attend university to become a pharmacist, but circumstances dictated a different path for him. He was so thrilled to see his children and grandchildren all pursue post-secondary education. He attended school in Westwold and Salmon Arm, before he returned to Kamloops and began his working career as a produce wholesaler. Starting as a Warehouseman/Driver, he worked his way up to become Manager of Slade & Stewart Wholesalers where he remained for many years. His work ethic was unshakeable and legendary. He worked very hard to provide a comfortable life for his family. As a young man he both played and umpired baseball and both he and his wife Pat spent many happy years as members of the Kamloops Curling Club and later he took up golf. He was a great fisherman and spent many hours with both his children and grandchildren in the boat and at the family cabin at Paska Lake. He was a sports fan all his life and seldom missed a televised hockey, football or baseball game. A devoted reader, he was keenly interested in politics and welcomed lively discussion. Fiercely independent, determined and tenacious, he faced many health challenges over the years but was able to live in his own apartment, drive his own car and make his own decisions until the end. Mercifully, his final illness was short and throughout it, he showed both acceptance and grace. He had fought the good fight! He is survived by his daughter Jo-Anne (Ken Leinweber) of Ashcroft, BC, his son Syd (Beth Aldred), his grandchildren Nick (Sharleen), Stephen (Chloe Tunis) all of Victoria, BC and Kate (Ronen) Segall of Toronto, his 2 great- grandsons Luca Portman and Sal Segall and sister-in-law Kay Smith as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Pat, his parents Fred and Edith Portman, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Senator Sydney and Mrs. Marion Smith, his 9 siblings, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, as well as numerous friends and some nieces and nephews. He would want to be remembered to his great friends Jean Milton of Kamloops, Laverne McLeod of Westwold and Sandy and Jean Robinson of Jasper, AB. His family would like to express profound gratitude to the many people who enabled Bill to retain his independence for the past few years and provided assistance in his final weeks. To Dr. Brenda Laupland for her insightful spirit, skill and compassion; to Dr. Michael Wilson for his many years of friendship and support; to the pharmacists and staff of Pratt’s Pharmacy; to Nurse Next Door, in particular Jo-Anne and Virginia; to Simone Jennings, RD; Barbara of Community Dietician; the wonderful nurses and staff of 4 North RIH; Chaplain Mary Widmer and to the angels on earth at Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice. Your kindness and care will never be forgotten. No service by request. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in the Spring.

“Now cracks a noble heart, Good night sweet prince

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”