William Stoochnoff

STOOCHNOFF: William. It is with the saddest of hearts that we mourn the passing of William (Bill) Stoochnoff, 63 years of age. He passed away peacefully with his wife, Frieda by his side in the Cottonwoods Care Home on Friday, March 10th, 2023after a valiant seven-year battle with prostate cancer that had metastisized to the entire skeletal system.

Bill was born in Grand Forks, BC on June 26th, 1939 to William Philip Stoochnoff and his wife, Francis (nee Samsonoff). Bill was their youngest child and only son. He grew up and went to school in Midway, BC .

Bill is predeceased by his parents, in-laws (Joe and Mary Yungblut), sisters Francis, Vera, Mary, Jean (Joe Demchuk), niece Lynn Hall, nephew Rick Lobb and great nephew Michael Lind.

Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Frieda ( nee Yungblut ). They were married in Greenwood, BC by Reverend Miller on April 11th, 1963. In addition, Bill is survived by his daughter Kelly ( Craig Lee ), Grandchildren Lyndon (Christina Harwood-Jones), Madison (Chris Rexroat, great grandson Theo Rexroat ( Apple of Bill’s Okanagan Eye), Bill’s sister Olga Craig and sister-in-law Josie Alexander.

Bill loved his many nieces and nephews: Sandra Lynn, Shelly (Bill Lind), Kay (Ernie Rotheisler), Carolyn, Sandra , Janet (Roger Craig), Michael, Carmen (Douglas), Shelley, David and Joey. Facebook allowed Bill to keep up with their, and their children’s many amazing diverse activities and accomplishments. He was proud of them all.

Bill had a wide variety of work experience. He worked by far the longest for the City of Kelowna electrical department. After retirement, bill volunteered for US Fish and Wildlife at Bosque del Apache as well as the Wolf Refuge in Soccorro, New Mexico.

Bill was a warm, happy person who enjoyed cooking for family and friends, including Kelowna’s homeless. He also enjoyed boating, fishing and travelling. He liked being “King of the Road” in his RV. Numerous winters were spent in Mexico. Highlights were seeing and climbing the pyramids north of Mexico City and also in the Yucatan.

Bill loved all animals, especially cats, dogs, horses. He often served as Kelly’s groomer at horse shows. A proud moment was at Spruce Meadows where Kelly and Major Mica won the Alberta Provincial Dressage Championship in Prix St. Georges.

Bill and family wish to thank friends and neighbors for their love. We would also like to thank the many Interior Health Care professionals (too many to mention individually) who gave Bill needed treatment and competent and compassionate care.

Bill was regarded as a medical ‘Mystery and a Miracle” . To us, he was neither, he was simply our beloved Bill.

At Bill’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the SPCA would be greatly appreciated in Bill’s memory.

“Time held me green and dying, Though I sang in my chains like the Sea” by Dylan Thomas ‘Fern Hill”

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Bill’s web page at www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299