I'm currently in Hong King. Just learned the sad news of Bill's passing. I knew Bill through his son Todd. The first time I met the gentleman was at their home up the mountain in North Van. His humour and kindness left a deep impression in my mind. Bill will live on...in people's heart. With deepest sadness.

So sorry to hear about Uncle Bill's passing. My thoughts are with all of you. Hope your hearts are comforted by the many caring thoughts of sympathy surrounding you at this difficult time and knowing so many of us warmly remember Uncle Bill.

Dear Aunty Betty, Todd, Marke, Cohen and Chloe our deepest sympathy to you. Uncle Bill was a gentle, kind, caring soul who walked respectfully on this earth. I will remember him with a twinkle in his eye, a ready smile and a mischievous playful spirit. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Memories of my brother-in-law:
During the early 50s Bill offered to teach me how to ski... his favourite prank was get me to the top of the hill and say, Follow me' and he`d fly down the slope and at the bottom of the run he`d shout come on down the snow is fine... ha ha ha`.
Bill let me use his ski cabin on Grouse Mt. for a ski weekend with my friends, Melvin Chin and Milton Wong. His only instruction was `don`t burn the place down`! When I eventually learned how to ski parallel, Bill & Betty took me many times to the advanced down-hill slopes of Stevens Pass and Mt Baker.
One of the summer months in the 50s, Bill & Betty took me in his newly acquired Dodge Coupe for a spin' to the sand dunes of the Oregon Coast and stopovers to visit with Carol & Paul Locke and family in Seattle and over to Mercer Island for a visit with Francis & Eddie Lam and family.
Bill generously shared all things good; he was honest, creative and a self-taught artistic person; whenever he thought of a new idea, it naturally followed with him how to make it happen.
Bill displayed his kind and caring qualities which I observed over the decades as he was always supportive and respectful with his mother-in-law; and in the more recent senior years Bill & Betty were present at our home for many, many family gatherings and over the dinner table Bill inevitably let loose with his signature cheerful bantering and chuckles. 
You will be missed, Bill.
Sincere condolences to Betty, Todd, Marke, Cohen and Chloe.

Dad on his 17ft power boat that he built himself, with his friend Willie Lowe.  We would go to Pender Harbour for fishing vacations.  Sometimes we would launch the boat at Kitsilano and go to Gulf Islands, Sechelt or Howe Sound.  Less often we launched at Cates Park, and went up Indian Arm.

We miss you Bill. Thank you for all the fond memories and we trust we will be reunited at the throne of our Savior, Christ Jesus.  With our deepest sympathy to Betty, Todd, Marke, Cohen and Chloe, but yet with tears of joy trusting that Bill is home with the Lord, with no pain, no suffering we sing Hallelujah.

My condolences to you, the family and friends Todd. Was especially good to see him at the literAsian 2015 banquet. Have many good memories of chatting with Bill. He was a gentleman and sweet soul.

my condolences to you, Mark, and your Mom.  I have such good memories of all the times we spent together.  He will be missed!

We have many many good memories of our times together with Bill and family which dates back for over 65 years.  
Sincere condolences to the whole family.

Sincere condolences to the entire Wong family and friends ...

Condolences Todd. I'm glad I had the opportunities to say hi to you &your Dad on the Grouse tram. What a gift that you had such a good man as your father, and he, the good son

The passing of a parent is a grand milestone. Saddness and often deep grief will give way for the children to pick up the torch of grandness and wisdom to become the next place for younger ones to learn. We learn from our parents, as you have done so well Todd, and now you carry the torch of wisdom and mentorship. Your Father taught you well and you have learned well and now it's your turn to lead the family in love, compassion and truth. God Bless you and your family. You are loved.

Love, thoughts and prayers to all of you.   What a wonderful man to leave such an impression on those he met and had compassion for.  I will forever remember his gentleness, kindness and warm smile.

William (Bill) Fook Hong Wong  Uncle Bill" to many
January 14th, 1925 Victoria BC  November 26th, 2015 North Vancouver.
 
Our wise teacher, gentle mentor, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son, and best friend passed away quietly in his sleep, next to family.  All that knew him were touched by his open generosity, easy going good humour, and passion for life.
 
Bill was predeceased by his parents Wong Wa and Chan Sze in the 1960's, his older sister Lan Wai, and recently his brother James in Edmonton.  He is survived by his sister Rose and brother Gilbert, wife Betty, his sons Todd and Marke, grandchildren Cohen and Chloe, and many nephews and nieces.
 
A quiet, humble, independent free spirit with a positive attitude and a can-do spirit, Bill's accomplishments were many.  He was a self-taught master signwriter, owning Hopp Signs and painted many signs in Vancouver and especially Chinatown. In the 40's he was an avid roller skater and an expert skier, who built his own ski cabin on Grouse Mountain.  In 1953, he married the love of his life, Betty Stella Mar, and built her a house with his own hands in Vancouver. 

In the 60's he built a boat and was a long time member of the Chinook Fish & Game Club.  He took his family on skiing, fishing and camping vacations throughout BC.  In the 1970's he had a new house built and moved the family to North Vancouver.
 
In the 80's, Bill continued to paint signs around town, gold leaf for office doors, showcards for Marco Polo Restaurant and Cabaret, trucks for Krispee Potato Chips, silkscreened banners for Fields stores, and did the first outfield boards and more at Nat Bailey Stadium.  He became an active member and leader with the Nisei Badminton Club. Throughout the 2000's and 2010's he diligently assisted with raising his grandchildren through their early years. He brought joy and happiness into every day.  He made the world a better place by his dedication to his family and thoughtful contributions that inspired others.
 
Bill was cremated on December 12th at Mountain View cemetery at a private family ceremony.  A private Celebration of Life will be held on January 9th 2-4pm in Vancouver. Contact son Todd for details 778-846-7090.
 
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice, or the Chinese Canadian Military Museum.

OBITUARY

William Hong Wong

January 14, 1925 – November 26, 2015

Glenhaven Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services