William John Calvin Betts

He is survived by Jackie, his wife of 70 years; sister Judy Allan; four children - Wray (Norma), Ken (Jana), Susan (Colin), Robert (Catherine); thirteen grandchildren; thirty three great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, Wray and Gladys Betts, brother in law George Allan, and great granddaughter Faith Doyle.

Bill was born in Stamford, Ontario on June 15, 1930 and grew up in Grimsby Beach, Ontario.

He left home at age 20 and began working for the Stedmans chain of stores. He managed stores in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and then back to Ontario and British Columbia. In 1971, Bill and Jackie decided that they had had enough of moving and bought a Stedmans franchise store in Rosetown Saskatchewan where they lived until 1991.

While in Rosetown, Bill was heavily involved in his community - Oddfellows, Boy Scouts of Canada, Wilderness Rendezvous, and wherever the community needed assistance.

In 1991 Bill and Jackie closed the store and moved west to Aldergrove, British Columbia. In those early semi-retirement years, Bill and Jackie lived and worked as property gate keepers for a retired doctor, and later lived and worked on a chicken farm. They fully retired in 1999 and moved into the walk-out basement suite of Robert and Catherine's home in Abbotsford.

Wherever Bill lived, the outside of their home was full of flowers. Bill loved his gardens! They volunteered to help care for the Peace Gardens in Abbotsford for many years. For their St. Dunstan church in Aldergrove, he regularly worked on grounds maintenance. At The Cedars in Mission, where he lived until his hospital stay, he and Jackie tended the flower gardens, making them a vibrant joy for the other residents.

Bill loved his church and the people in it. He was always available for any task that needed attention. When the church burnt in 2000, Bill put great effort into the build of the new church which opened in the spring of 2004. He was proud of the church and its light into the community of Aldergrove.

Bill received many accolades in recognition of his tireless work for community and church. He was awarded Rosetown Citizenship Award in 1985, the Acorn Scout Award, the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster award in 2015, and Abbotsford Recognition Award of the Friendship Gardens 2008-2015.

Bill leaves behind a legacy of family, love, service and faithfulness.

A memorial service will be held for Bill on Friday, November 8th. 2024 at 2:00 PM at St. Dunstan's Anglican Church located at 3025 264 St, Aldergrove, BC V4W 2W4. The service can be watched via Livestream here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84937470476?pwd=UFFUSTVnb2g1UEVac3BEMGs4Rm5oZz09#success

Password: 123