Terrence "Terry" Ronald Batchelor

It has happened again! Another one of the Greatest Generation has passed from this existence and moved onto the next great adventure. Terrence (Terry) Ronald Batchelor finished the race on May 22, 2018. He was 87 years old. His wife Billie, like she often did, beat him to the finish line a few years earlier. We like to think they’ve made big mugs of tea now and are playing a game of Canasta.

Terry was born in Vancouver on November 7, 1930. He spent his formative years in the Fort St. John area which is where he met the most important person to ever come into his life – Billie Holmes. They were married and lived a life that few couples ever experience together.

Always adventures, they moved around the province calling Fort St. John, Prince George, Grand Prairie, Dawson Creek, Vernon and Kelowna home. Terry was an entrepreneur and with Billie by his side, owned everything from a butcher shop to a grocery store, a motel and Kelowna’s largest lighting store. After retirement, our two lovebirds hit the road, taking their RV all over North America and serving with a non profit in Mexico.

All the while, Terry and Billie’s family grew: six kids grew to 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. With our own partners in this mix, this noisy, messy tribe numbers somewhere around 55.

Each member of this family will ever be grateful for Terry’s legacy.

Terry’s life was marked by adventure, tenacity (some might go as far as stubbornness) and most of all, an unswerving commitment to serve God. Terry knew from a very early age who God was and determined that he would follow Him for all his days. And he did. To the very last breath.

We had many conversations with Terry before he left, we asked all sorts of questions and he was at complete peace. Terry was not afraid of death – he knew his future was secure in Jesus Christ and his Billie was waiting.

When we think of our Dad and Grandfather, we think of the legacy of integrity he has left us. It is a great gift to be raised by a man whose reputation of honour precedes us wherever we go. He showed us what it meant to do the right thing no matter what it cost you. He showed us what in meant to model God’s love in this world.

Terry was practical in loving God by the way he cared for people. He was known to bring strangers home to join the family in festivities, share rides, food or money and regularly visited prisoners in local institutions. The question was simple: what would God do for people in this circumstance? That was always the right answer.

So as his family, we ask for your help in honouring this man by doing the same. Find a situation that you can help in, and then simply help. Honour your word simply because you said so.

Help us take this life marked by goodness and make it grow.

In lieu of flowers, our family would appreciate if you would consider a donation to the Vernon Abbeyfield House Society.

A Celebration of Dad’s life will be held on Saturday June 02/18 @ 10 AM. Please meet with us at the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, 4303 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon, BC. Expressions of condolence or tribute may be shared via www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Valleyview Funeral Home, 250-765-3147.