Mr. William Ka Cheuk Lok

On June 1, 2025, William “Bill” Ka Cheuk Lok passed away peacefully at home at the age of 93.

William was born in Tianjin, China, to a father from Guangzhou and a mother who passed away when he was just nine years old. One of eight children—three brothers and four sisters—he took on responsibilities early, caring for his younger sisters during the day while attending night school in Tianjin from the ages of 13 to 15. He completed the equivalent of Grade 9 at the top of his class, supported by a bursary from his principal to finish the year.

At the age of 15, he began working in Beijing as a telegram transcriber. His early life was shaped by hardship and loss: his brother was tragically killed while visiting him after work, caught in the crossfire of political violence during the rise of communism in China.

During the Cultural Revolution, William relocated to Hong Kong in search of stability and opportunity. There, he held a series of jobs—first as an office clerk, then as a bookkeeper, and later at HAECO Hong Kong, where he managed the procurement of airline equipment. He met his wife, So Ying (Shirley), in an English class. They married soon after and welcomed their first child, Patricia. In 1967, the family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, where they later had their son, Vincent. William remained in Vancouver for the rest of his life.

In Vancouver, he first worked at Crown Zellerbach Ltd., a lumber company, before joining CP Air (which eventually became Air Canada), where he remained until his retirement at the age of 65. At CP Air, he managed the tool crib, overseeing the inventory of equipment used by ground staff and mechanics, and formed many lasting friendships. He enjoyed travelling and remained active in supporting his community throughout his later years.

William travelled around the world with Shirley, and his favourite vacations were cruises. He wore the branded merchandise with pride and could tell you which ship had the best buffet. In his later years, he took up mahjong and played with anyone who would join—but most of all, he loved to win. Every time.

He was the kind of person who would do anything to make someone smile. Particular, measured, thoughtful, and exact in how things should be done. Though he wasn’t drawn to music or media, he had a flair for surprise. In a crowded restaurant, he would suddenly pull out a harmonica and play to mark someone’s birthday—loud and proud, consistently saving a “Jingle Bells” encore before cake time.

He was quiet but witty and sharp, stoic yet deeply dependable and loyal. He looked after those around him in both big and subtle ways. Whether through a car ride, a meal, or simply his steady presence, he showed his care through actions more than words.

William is survived by his wife Shirley, his daughter Patricia and son-in-law Steve, his son Vincent and daughter-in-law Joann, and his grandchildren—Meghan, Nathan, Tamara, and Zachary. He is also survived by his sisters Shao Fang and Pei Fang, and his brother-in-law Zeng Hao.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, BC. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ASK Friendship Society, a community organization where William spent time navigating life with dementia alongside compassionate caregivers and fellow members. ASK provides adult day programs for seniors living with chronic health and memory challenges, and donations help ensure they can continue this essential work. Donations in memory of William can be made online at the following link: https://askcentre.ca/donate-online/