William Campbell

Benita Richardson Bill's parents were James Alexander (Alex) Campbell and Jesse Elizabeth (Betty) Irving. The family had just moved into a fixer-upper with no indoor plumbing! on the outskirts of Ottawa. Bill was 4 months old and his sister, Barbara, had just turned five, when Alex contracted polio. Plans to make the house more livable stopped. Tiny Betty, at 29 years of age, and without a car, took on the heroic tasks of nurse, physiotherapist, child care, cook, feeding and butchering chickens that had out grown their cage, plumber (once indoor plumbing was installed) shoveler of coal and snow and general factotum. Alex regained total mobility, in spite of the doctors' predictions he would never walk again. Bill remembered a favorite saying of his father's "Whatever you do, do with your might. Things done by halves are never done right." The first photo is a composite that mistakenly gives you the impression that Betty was taller than Alex. In the second photo you can see them on their wedding day in their true respective heights.

Benita Richardson Bill's first form of travel, and first dog, Beauty. In this photo, Bill might be communing with the dog, or he might be thinking, "How does this thing work? It should be moving. Fast, I want to go fast."

Benita Richardson Barbara and Billy, as he was called then.

Benita Richardson Bill was being a smart aleck by hiding behind the dog :)

Benita Richardson Written by Bill's sister, Barbara: Bill loved dogs. We always had at least one, and sometimes several. Our home was full of pets, from the usual dogs, cats and hamsters to the more unusual turtles, large and small, exotic fish, the occasional crow and families of monarch butterflies which hatched in our kitchen. Bill helped our parents with many projects around home and at their cottage. Our parents were the original “Do It Yourselfers” ; no challenge, even a septic tank blockage, was too great for them.

Benita Richardson Bill with close family friend, Jorge Serrano, and Goldie.

Benita Richardson Bill showed an early aptitude for understanding things mechanical. He told me he disassembled this wagon to see how it worked. He needed help to put it back together, but that was part of the learning process. His curiosity and drive propelled his successful career in engineering. You might be surprised to know that it was his mother, Betty, who taught him how to fix things around the house, whether it was as plumbing, electrical or carpentry. As an adult, Bill completed several construction and renovation projects in his homes.

Benita Richardson Bill participated in the Scouting organization through all the ranks, attending summer camps and eventually becoming a leader for younger boys.

Benita Richardson Bill's first home in Ottawa was close to Hog's Back Falls on the Rideau River, by the locks to the Rideau canal. While Bill had chores to do (clearing snow, mowing the lawn, babysitting) and participated in some organized activities (music, Boy Scouts, school safety patrol, Canadian Militia ) he enjoyed plenty of free time to ride his bicycle and play with other boys by the river. Sometimes the lock master was, shall we say, very "concerned" for their safety. Bill was the type to get bumps, bruises and lots of stiches, then get right up again to continue the fun.

Benita Richardson Taken at a stop on a family trip at the St Lawrence Seaway

Benita Richardson Bill and his father, Alex, in Toronto

Benita Richardson Bill liked to try to fool you. So when he told me that he had shared the stage with Paul Anka at a musical concert, I didn't believe him! Then he showed me this newspaper clipping that Betty had saved! So... Bill did perform on the same stage as Paul Anka, just not at the exact same time! Besides entertaining the crowd, Bill did serve as a school patroller. And eventually I learned to tell by the sparkle in his eyes when he was trying to spoof me!

Benita Richardson This was taken at an Ottawa Valley farm. Bill also remembered helping out at his great uncle Jim's farm, near Guelph, at haying and harvest time. He always said he liked the smell of horses and cattle.

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Benita Richardson Bill and Barbara in front of the family home

Benita Richardson Bill told me that, as a teenager, he participated in the artillery gun salutes at Parliament Hill for special occasions and visits of foreign dignitaries. According to my research, this honor belongs to the 30th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery. Either he was a volunteer reservist, or there was a summer program for students. Bill said he especially enjoyed driving the large military trucks.

Benita Richardson Written by Barbara, sister of Bill: Our Dad accepted a one year position as a Visiting Professor at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. On the day we were leaving , Bill was asked to trim the hedge with a sickle. He managed to slice off part pf his left thumb and thumbnail. A trip to the Emergency Room for a small skin graft and stitches and preventative antibiotics was not what our parents had planned for! The family flew to Stuttgart , Germany, where we picked up a brand new Mercedes 220S from the Mercedes Benz plant. We then drove it across Europe to Basel, Switzerland to Milan and finally to Naples where we boarded a ship to Beirut, with a stop in Egypt. In Naples, Bill and I went to the hotel bar and ordered two “pink ladies” and charged them to Dad’s bill. This was a big deal for two young Ontarians on their first trip to Europe! Dad didn’t notice the items on his bill but we felt so guilty that we later confessed.

Benita Richardson Written by Barbara, sister of Bill: In the beautiful city of Beirut, Bill attended the American Community School where he made some good friends. Bill remembers reading a book every week for the entire school year. Bill retained a love of reading, and liked to have a dictionary nearby to clarify his understanding. The family drove all over Lebanon from the Cedars in the mountains, to Baalbeck and the agricultural Beqaa valley, and to the seaside villages of Tyre and Sidon. In Syria we visited ancient ruins and the old cities of Damascus, Palmyra and Homs. This photo of Bill and I was taken on the balcony of our apartment. The second photo was taken at one of the many lovely beaches near Beirut... that's Bill in the hat, looking cool.

Benita Richardson For the Easter Break Barbara, Bill and his friend flew to Cyprus and rented a VW that they drove around the island, even getting lost one night. Fortunately, a British paratrooper found them and saved the day. At the end of the school year, Bill and a friend left Beirut by ship to Istanbul, where he changed ships to the one pictured here that sailed to New York. He then flew home to Ottawa. (Was this early experience the seed for Bill's later dream of blue water sailing?) On return to Ottawa, Bill attended Grade 13 at Laurentian High School, and made a new friendship that lasted 58 years. You will see a contribution by this friend, Andy Palmer, when you get to 1973.

Benita Richardson Bill with his sister, Barbara

Benita Richardson Bill met his future wife, Janet Kopperson, while they both studied at the University of Waterloo

Benita Richardson Bill received his Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. He also met the requirements to become a Professional Engineer., and proudly wore his engineer's ring. Bill's entry level job after graduation was as a buyer for Babcock and Wilcox, a manufacturer of fossil fired boilers, located in Cambridge, Ontario.

Benita Richardson This Datsun 240Z was Bill's pride and joy. Any car he ever drove afterward was measured against the Datsun. Bill enjoyed driving, plus the performance aspect of cars. He drove in rallies, followed Formula One and other classes of car racing, and avidly read Road and Track and Car and Driver magazines. Although Bill appreciated the superior performance of today's cars, he regretted that all the new technology precluded him from tinkering under the hood.

Benita Richardson When Kathleen (Katie) was born, Bill and Janet took her everywhere. It must have been quite a feat to fit the four of them (including Jasper the dog), plus all their luggage, into the Datsun.

Benita Richardson Bill became a Field Engineer for Babcock and Wilcox. He commissioned and serviced coal- or gas-burning boilers that power turbines for generating electricity. He travelled all over Canada by car and plane from his home base in Kitchener. Some projects lasted a week to two weeks, while others that involved construction of new power plants could last for months.

Benita Richardson Contributed by Andy Palmer: Bill and I met at Laurentian High School in Ottawa after his family returned from (American University of) Beirut. We were life-long friends beginning with our respective journeys to maturity and responsibility. My parents always welcomed him warmly and, over his professional career, enjoyed him recounting his employment in the construction of power stations around the world in ‘Peking’, near Tehran and Mexico City. Even Bill's dog, Jasper, came along to visit Rory, their Newfoundland. Bill (l.) and Janet (r.) made a significant effort to come to our October wedding in Pictou County, Nova Scotia in 1973. The second photo, of Helen and I, was taken by Bill. We managed to meet about every 10 years (or less) and always picked up our conversation where we left off.

Benita Richardson A family visit to grandparents Bud and Lottie Kopperson, and Bill Kopperson.

Benita Richardson Andrew (Andy) was born while Janet and Bill lived in New Brunswick, during commissioning of the new Coleson Cove generating station. Bill said it was the only time in his life when a game of baseball he was playing was called on account of fog.

Benita Richardson Written by Andy Palmer: Bill brought the family, including Baby Andy, from his worksite in southern New Brunswick, to visit us in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. We all went to the Halifax Public Gardens on a fine spring day (1977-05-15). Here is a photo of Bill, Janet and Katie on the footbridge (Andy was in Helen's arms) . Katie had a grand time feeding swans and sitting on Helen's lap telling her family secrets.

Benita Richardson Next, Bill took an assignment in Mexico City. He and Janet were provided with a beautiful house to live in, a maid, and a car. They had an engaging social life with other expats in the local chapter of the St Andrew's Society. There were plenty of fun activities for the family to do together. Katie attended a school and easily learned Spanish.

Benita Richardson Family Christmas with Barbara, Don, Julia (in California on sabbatical). Betty and Alex also came from Ottawa. Katie and Julia received matching yellow nightgowns from their grandmother.

Benita Richardson Bill was seconded as Senior Operations Advisor for the construction of an oil-fired plant near Bandar Abbas, Iran. His family's stay was cut short by political unrest and the eventual overthrow of the Shah of Iran. No photographs exist for this assignment, as Bill and Janet had to leave their belongings behind. This is a page from Bill's Iranian driver's license.

Benita Richardson Bill took a job with Saskatchewan Power Corporation as Manager, Generation Mechanical Engineering. Bill and Janet sold their home in Kitchener and settled in White City, a quiet bedroom community just outside of Regina. This series of photos shows Kopperson and Campbell family gatherings, and camping trips from 1979 through early 80's. Note that Bill could be very persuasive. He managed to convince all his Kopperson in-laws from Kitchener, Ontario, to put on Saskatchewan Roughrider jerseys! Must have been beer involved:)

Benita Richardson Bill was nominated by SaskPower to participate in a Project Definition Mission to the People's Republic of China. The mission was to design and recommend a specific project for electric power research in China over a three year period. The sponsor was the Canadian International Development Agency. As you can see from the third photo, Bill was enthusiastic about sampling the cuisine, no matter where he travelled.

Benita Richardson Around this time, Bill bought a Honda Silverwing 650 cc motorcyle. Sometimes he travelled solo, sometimes with a buddy, and he also took a couple of trips with Katie. Mostly to destinations in the US. The bike was loaded with clothes, tent, sleeping bags, camp stove and other gear for camping. Whether travelling by motorcycle or car, Bill seldom stayed within the speed limit!

Benita Richardson Family visits with the Koppersons in Kitchener.

Benita Richardson Written by Andy Palmer: In 1980 we moved to Columbia SC for my return to Graduate School (USC) in Geology, with the intention of a prompt return to Canada, but we got 'becalmed', so to speak. Bill came to Charlotte, North Carolina on business, then came down to visit us, 90 miles south. Our son, Liam, had a conversation with Bill about spitting watermelon seeds, and he vividly remembers that Bill said he ate them! While Helen worked her shift at the hospital, we went to Riverbanks Zoo and a baseball game. On the way home we stopped by the SC State House. Over the Dome, were flags: 1) National Stars and Stripes; 2) the SC Crescent Moon and Palmetto Tree; and 3) the square Confederate Battle Flag. The latter (mercifully, since removed) bothered Bill. Sherman's army advanced from Atlanta to Columbia. Cannons fired eastward across the Congaree River left permanent scars on the State House walls. When Columbia was burned, Union troops vandalized the statue of George Washington and broke his walking stick (after failing to recognize him). In the second photo, Bill and Andy are on the State House steps, discussing the 120-year-old vandalism.

Benita Richardson Family visit in San Diego with Bill's sister, Barbara, brother-in-law, Don, and niece, Julia, while Barbara and Don lived there on sabbatical from University of Windsor. These photos were taken at the Escondido Wild Animal Park.

Benita Richardson Bill and Katie took up dirt biking.

Benita Richardson Visiting with the Campbells at Alex and Betty's cottage at Otty Lake south of Ottawa.

Benita Richardson In 1987, Bill was put in charge of the Performance Engineering department at SaskPower. His team worked hard to help SaskPower "keep the lights on," but there was always time for fun. I don't know what the story is behind the team member wearing a hardhat in the first photo. The second photo is from an annual golf tournament that Bill organized together with one of his colleagues.

Benita Richardson Bill and Barbara accompanied their parents on a cruise in the Caribbean that included entering the Panama Canal.

Benita Richardson Friends who became family, Nick and Svetla Dolptchiev, their children Alex and Biliana, along with Olga and Joseph Chepovetski. Bill said that he sacrificed many brain cells drinking the wine that Nick made. This was more than compensated by the delicious food that Svetla served. Plenty of good times were shared.

Benita Richardson Bill had a long term love of canoeing and the minimalist style of camping that went with it. Besides family trips and longer expeditions, Bill took part in canoe skills courses (as a student and instructor) and competitions, including the annual Mosquito Cup. He encouraged several of his co-workers to come camping and learn canoe skills with him. Bill was adept at reading white water rapids and planning the best course through them.

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Benita Richardson Bill had good reasons to be proud of this (first) photo that he took at Mosquito Rapids on the Churchill River. Besides capturing a split second of the action, the canoeist is his son, Andy, demonstrating courage and advanced skills in canoe handling! The second photo is the winner of the Overall Nikon/CRCA Canadian Canoe Photograph Contest, and was featured on the 1990 winter edition of the Kanawa Magazine for recreational paddlers. He has one photo album filled almost exclusively with equally challenging action shots. Judging by 11 photo albums, plus another 4 cubic foot box of photos and slides, Bill had a long-lived passion for photography. He took photos of family gatherings and trips, and plenty of every stage of our boat construction. He even bought a camera with an underwater casing to use while scuba diving... another challenging environment for photography!

Benita Richardson Katie's high school grad.

Benita Richardson The Campbell clan met in Ottawa to celebrate Betty and Alex's 50th wedding anniversary

Benita Richardson Bill and Andy joined a four person, fly-in wilderness canoe expedition on the Seal River through the tundra of northern Manitoba. Sighting polar bears was a distinct possibility. Once the group reached Hudson's Bay, they were picked up by a boat that took them back to Churchill.

Benita Richardson Regina Ballroom Dance Club. Bill was an instructor, participated in workshops and dance routines, and served as vice-president and president of the club. This was not Dancing with the Stars, it was simply great fun.

Benita Richardson Bill and Andy joined a 6 person expedition on the Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories. They covered 530 km in three weeks. The most spectacular feature of this trip was Virginia Falls, a drop of 302 feet (twice the height of Niagara Falls). Needless to say, the portage around the falls was tough, but worth the view from close up.

Benita Richardson I met Bill at the Regina Ballroom Dancing Club. We soon found that we shared many other interests: canoeing, camping, skiing, photography, cooking, and travel. Together we learned to snowboard, roller blade, make wine, scuba dive and sail. Many times when we hosted a dinner I was complimented on my cooking. I had to admit that it was Bill who was the lead chef, and I was just the kitchen help. Bill had quite the collection of cookbooks, including the Larouse Gastronomique, shown lying open on the kitchen table in the second photo. When we met, we were both intermediate skiers eager to improve our skills. Then Bill convinced me to add snowboarding to our repetoire! Our skiing skills declined as we climbed the snowboard learning curve. Next, Bill convinced me to overcome my fear of water to learn scuba diving! Bill was always encouraging (ok, ragging on) people to try new things with him. He loved to be active and have fun!

Benita Richardson We bought a house that had never been updated since it was built in 1948, and modernized it over five years. The second photo shows before, during and after we added a two car garage, sunroom, and deck to the back of the house. Next is before and after of the kitchen. Then detail of the sunroom, and finally, a three-piece ensuite for the master bedroom. The rest of the interior got a thorough going-over of paint, new flooring, and some new windows. Bill sanded down the exterior cedar siding to give it a new coat of paint. Then we sat in the kitchen or on the deck and enjoyed some wine that Bill made.

Benita Richardson Soon after Bill and I moved into our first home together, my family came to visit, by coincidence while Bill's sister, Barbara, had stopped over with us on a business trip. Katie and Andy joined us for supper. The last two photos are of other visits by my family.

Benita Richardson After three years of living together, we tied the knot in our living room. Andy (far left) and Katie (second from right) were their witnesses. (The officiant offered to perform a second ceremony for Katie and Ron(far right), but the young couple opted for a more formal wedding the next year.) Right after our wedding, we took a 10 day honeymoon cruise, which was the only time we were ever accosted by pirates. On our return, my work colleagues surprised us with a wedding cake and gift.

Mike Hogan Bill was part of an incredible team at SaskPower Commercial. He and I travelled extensively together, most often to Cuba, and Guyana in South America. Bill was able to bring his incredible technical capability to our projects, along with his love of travel. And his sense of humour, of course.

Benita Richardson Celebrating Betty's 80th birthday

Benita Richardson Katie and Ron's wedding at the Bessborough Hotel.

Benita Richardson Bill helped Ron and Katie add a dormer to the upper floor of their house. Teamwork and speed were important to get the framing done before it might rain. In the last photo of this set, Bill is sitting with his buddy, Percy, while Katie and Ron were at our place to visit.

Benita Richardson Christmas with Katie and Ron, and Katie's cousin, Brian Walker with his partner, Danielle.

Benita Richardson A family photo taken after the funeral for Bill's mother, Betty. right to left Don, Katie, Andy, Benita, Barbara, Bill and Julia

Benita Richardson From late 2001, Bill oversaw the construction of our sailboat by various contractors in the Netherlands, while still holding down a full-time consulting job. He worked out of our apartment in Calgary, and made several trips to inspect the progress. As I was without a job at the time, I was right there to see firsthand Bill's incredible ability to focus on multiple, detailed tasks within tight timelines. In April 2003 we shipped some belongings and flew over to complete the commissioning of Alcheringa . Bill picked this name. It comes from the language of the Australian Aborigines, and means "dream time." As you can see, it was a very hands-on process for Bill. My job was logistical support... bicycling from the marina to a chandlery (hardware store for boats) to pick up nuts and bolts, etc. Thus began our 9 year trip half way around the world in Alcheringa.

Benita Richardson While we were commissioning the boat in the Netherlands we had a visit from our son-in-law, Ron, who snapped this photo of us.

Benita Richardson Written by Donna Kane: Our relationship with Bill and Benita began in 2001 when we became neighbours in a condo building in downtown Calgary. During one of many conversations, we were surprised to learn they were soon leaving Calgary for a new life on their almost completed sailboat. We were even more surprised to learn the sailboat was being built in Holland, not far from where our daughter Tanya, husband Eric and our two grandchildren lived. In fact, we would soon be flying to Holland ourselves to visit the family. Before leaving home, we purchased a brand new Canada flag to be presented to Bill and Benita, a gift for the sleek and breathtakingly beautiful Alcheringa. We enjoyed an afternoon cruise around the harbour, but the mast was not ready so we were without wind power. After we had returned to Calgary, Bill called Tanya and Eric when the mast was finished and, together, they enjoyed an exhilarating sail. Our friendship with Bill and Benita continued as we read their stories and during occasional dinners in Calgary. In 2007 Tanya, Eric and family returned to Canada to live in the city of Vernon. In 2014 they opened a BBQ restaurant in the old train station. After the sale of Alcheringa, Bill and Benita eventually ended up on an acreage not far from Vernon, and in 2019 we were thrilled to meet them for dinner at the restaurant owned by Tanya and Eric. A grand reunion for all as we explored the path that brought us together again, this time in Vernon. Rest in peace, Bill, we loved our time together! Richard and Donna Kane & Eric and Tanya Wisse.

Benita Richardson In the summer of 2003 we cleared out from the Netherlands and sailed down the coast of Europe to the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa,. From there we made our first ocean crossing to the Caribbean island of St Lucia. On the way, we caught our first dorado, aka mahi mahi. In St Lucia we were met for New Years by good friends, Nick and Svetla. After that we spent six years criss crossing the Caribbean, visiting islands and countries in Central and South America. Second last photo is Kaieteur Falls in Guyana. Last photo is Bill standing at the top of the very same waterfall!

Benita Richardson Katie and Andy joined us for some sailing and snorkeling in Venezuela.

Benita Richardson Friends and family we met on our travels from 2006 through 2009. Unfortunately all the photos from two months of backpacking in Guatemala were lost when Bill accidentally reset the camera. Fortunately we could get copies of the photos from our visit in Guatemala City with Bill's cousins, Nickolas Irving and Lillian Irving and their families.

Benita Richardson For the Panama Canal transit into the Pacific Ocean, we invited a family of four to be our line handlers. We entered the locks from the Caribbean side in the evening, moored overnight in freshwater Gatun Lake, then in the morning were guided by a pilot to the locks down into the Pacific. After the transit, we made our way to Ecuador to moor the boat so we could visit Peru (overland) and Canada(by air).

Benita Richardson Contributed by Andy Palmer: I met up with Bill and Benita for lunch in Calgary in 2010. I had started working on contract there, and they had just flown in from South America, having temporarily moored their sailboat there. We enjoyed some good laughs, but the best was when I told them my Wish List was to visit Lake Titicaca in the Peruvian Andes. Bill said, “We were there last week”, which produced our laughter caught in these photos. I continued to forward the annual (US) Ham Radio Licence (and radio equipment catalogues too!) for Alcheringa ll until it was sold. Later, I brought some Maurice's (pulled pork) Barbeque to Calgary and enjoyed their hospitality in Pincher Creek AB, not far from the Crowsnest Pass. More laughter then too!

Benita Richardson backpacking through Peru and Bolivia for three months while Alcheringa was safely berthed in Ecuador.

Benita Richardson summer visit to Canada

Benita Richardson After our travels in South America, we prepared for an ocean passage to Tahiti, French Polynesia, the same distance as crossing the entire Atlantic Ocean. Half-way to our one and only stop at the Galapagos Islands, we crossed a stretch of water notorious for intense thunderstorms. This was the only time I ever saw Bill freaked out by lightning. Bill saw the top of our mast get struck. Fortunately, there was no major damage to the rig.

Benita Richardson Here's what it looked like to arrive in Tahiti to complete the passage from the Galapagos islands.

Benita Richardson Here we are at anchor in Raitea with Bora Bora off in the distance. Photo 2 is of traditional Polynesian sailboats. Photo 3 is one of many dazzling performances at the Bora Bora Heiva festival.

Benita Richardson visiting friends while back in Canada

Benita Richardson Our final passage was from Tahiti to Rarotonga and back. Total miles travelled in 9 years of sailing were enough to circle the globe; however, we used a lot of them to criss-cross the Caribbean Sea during six of the nine years. The maps here show our path from the Netherlands in 2003 to our furthest destination in the South Pacific. We sold the boat in French Polynesia. The new owner sailed to New Zealand and eventually sold the boat to two locals. I think a piece of Bill's heart stayed with Alcheringa and the ocean.

Benita Richardson These pages are the sales brochure that Bill wrote in aid of selling the boat. If you can read the fine print, you will learn his cruising philosophy and detect the great pride he had for Alcheringa ll.

Benita Richardson Upon our return to Canada, we settled in southwestern Alberta. Bill needed to keep busy, so he worked as a liftie and snow groomer at Castle Mountain ski resort, then drove a cement truck, Zamboni, gravel truck and school bus. When the school kids would act up a bit too much, Bill's solution was to pull the bus over to the side of the road and park. He didn't have to say a word. They got the message and settled down. Then he continued on the route. Bill used to say that his bus route, on the prairies between Pincher Creek and Waterton Park, had some of the most beautiful views in the world (second photo).

Benita Richardson Next, Bill became a long haul driver for cargo going from western Canada to destinations throughout the US. He worked for Evans Trucking full time for two years, then half time for another two years, having many adventures. Whenever he could manage it, he stopped over in Regina to visit with his son, Andy. Bill's most memorable (meaning nail-biting) destination was Brooklyn, New York. Benita accompanied him on a several trips to Arizona and California. It is grand to see the countryside from the cab of an 18 wheeler!

Mike Hogan Bill came fly fishing with me and my father-in-law, John Cotton, several times in the last yew years. We had a lot of fun together. He and John particularly enjoyed their scotch in the evenings.

Benita Richardson Granddaughters Zoe and Rebecca prefer not to have their faces shown in social media.

Benita Richardson Bill and Benita moved to a countryside development on the west side of Lake Okanagan, about 40 km from Vernon, BC. It's a great place to take Jenna (left) and Bear(right) for a ramble through the trees, or for a swim in the lake. Bill did some local trucking for three months in the fall of 2019, then refinished our two bathrooms.

Norm Krcmar Bill was my Paragliding Student and friend starting late May of 2020. When Bill arrived for the first day he immediately made an impression on the instructors and especially me. His energy was contagious and there was no doubt he wanted to fly. We started the program and he took to it quite well. Bill was smiling ear to ear and after a few days of ground handling we went up the hill for his first flight. If you were within a few miles of Bill that day you would have heard him hollering from the sky. It was intoxicating for us other pilots to see him fulfilling his dream and he became one of the community immediately. Every launch and landing was smiles and high fives, he was filled with so much joy and he gave back to the community and school and with rides to launch and retrieves. He'd come along even when the conditions were too strong for a new pilot, just to lend a hand and enjoy the company. Bill at 75 year of age was an inspiration to us all. His smile and energy will be truly missed. As a memento to him the Okanagan Soaring Association has decided to name the launch we used on Mt. Vernon in his name, forever to be known as "Bill's Launch". Keep flying high my friend....

Jerry Mason Along with Norm, I had the pleasure of teaching Bill to Paraglide and what an awesome time we had! He was an absolute delight to teach, had a huge appetite for any information I could share with him and always wanted to know more. Keeping up with everybody else was never an issue and he easily matched my 'British' wit as fast as I could dish it out ..... I wasn't used to that! Most students I teach finish their basic course and call it quits as far as further education, but Bill listened to my advice and studied for his HAGAR exam and successfully passed it, arming himself with a wealth of knowledge concerning airspace and making him a much more knowledgeable and safe pilot. When I completed his paperwork at the end of his course, an application for a Novice rating has to be submitted to our governing body HPAC, who in turn, would issue a rating certificate. I received a call from the HPAC administrative office concerned that I had made a mistake on the submitted paperwork. The conversation went like this: HPAC- "Jerry, on the paperwork you submitted for Bill, the date of birth you put down makes him 75" ME- "yes" HPAC- "Wow" HPAC subsequently featured Bill in their July issue of The Launch, our monthly news letter. Bill, I miss your smiling face and your 'casual' shoes, fly safe and I'll be sure to say 'hi' when I'm flying high over the valley this summer. I found a short video of Bill 'stepping out of the sky' this last summer alongside a fellow student who taught us all to juggle! Also in this post is his picture from 'The Launch' and not forgetting Cooper, my Border Collie that Bill met numerous times during his course! Finally, watch Bill launching in those 'casual shoes!'

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Benita Richardson Bill's ashes will be spread at a later date. A portion will go into the ocean he loved. Perhaps another portion atop a ski hill. And yet another portion at a paragliding launch site on Mt Vernon.