William George SPARROW

Loving husband, father, and grandfather, Bill passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at the age of 86. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Sparrow.  Bill leaves to mourn his four children Kathy (Tim Edgar), Gary (Paulette), Jim (Colleen) and Tom (Debby). He also leaves nine amazing grandchildren Chris, Matt (Sabrina), Ben, Patty, Ryan (Reily), Josh, Lynn, Chantelle (Keith), Jenna and his brother Jack (Marg), as well as many nieces and nephews. Bill was also predeceased by his parents James Henry Sparrow and Dorothy Annie Cowan, his brother Harold, and his sisters Elaine and Norma.

Bill proudly served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1945 to 1950, and then began a long and prosperous career as a power engineer starting at CIL and then joining Calgary Power (TransAlta) in Wabamun, Alberta where he and Betty made their home, raised their family and developed many life-long friendships.

Bill will be remembered for his love of family and friends. He loved to waterski, fish and later downhill ski in the Rocky Mountains. He has many close friends in Wabamun, Lakeside,  Montana, Kimberley and Westbank  and Comox, BC. His love of life and his contagious sense of humour will be missed by all.

His family would like to extend thanks to the doctors and nurses of the third floor St Joseph’s Hospital in Comox, BC for the wonderful care.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7th, 2013 in Wabamun, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation in Bill’s memory.