Obituary of Bill Edwards

Obituary Bill Chatwin Edwards July 9, 1930 (Carlea, Saskatchewan) – February 26, 2021 (Fort St. John, BC). The second son of Saskatchewan farmers George and Amelia Edwards, Bill was born in the family’s Carlea home on July 9, 1930. He fondly grew up with his two brothers and four sisters, working on the farm, riding horseback to school, swimming in the river, camping, and fishing. He always loved to smile, so much so that at school he once continued to smile when the teacher gave him a licking and was then made to smile out the window for half an hour more. Bill first visited the BC Peace region when he was 16, arriving by train in Sexsmith, AB and then continuing on to Fort St. John and Cecil Lake from there. He had been invited to Cecil Lake by his sisters Wilma and Alice after they had moved to the area with their husbands, and quickly fell in love with the rolling forested region and ample farmland where he would eventually settle with his own family. Although they grew up in neighbouring communities, he first really met the love of his life, Dorothy, when he helped drive Dorothy and her friends to the lake for her 17th birthday in 1953. They would attend dances in Choiceland where he wouldn’t dance but would happily visit with his friends and neighbours. Bill and Dorothy married on December 28, 1955. After the snow had piled up too high for the train to get through, Bill walked through a blizzarding -40oC snowstorm to get to the wedding. Bill and Dorothy started their family in Prince George, BC before they were able to start the homestead in Cecil Lake in 1959, enabling them to begin their own farm. Bill and Dorothy raised their family on the farm, teaching them the value of hard work while facing life with a sense of humor and a sweet treat in hand. He thoroughly enjoyed a good visit with family and friends over a cup of coffee and a meal, catching a western film, fishing when time allowed, and teaching his grandkids that sugar goes well on everything. Although his passion was farming with John Deere tractors, his careers were varied and included tree falling, horse logging, wellsite construction, driving the school bus, and maintaining a variety of livestock on the homestead. His calming presence and steady strength allowed him to face hardships, tragedy, and illness, overcoming adversity with a smile even to the end. After a long and bravely fought battle with cancer, Bill passed away peacefully on February 26, 2021, joining his parents (George and Amelia), brother (Leonard), sisters (Lorna, Wilma, Alice, and Coral), son (Doug), and daughter-in-law (Doris) in heaven. He is lovingly remembered and will be sadly missed by his wife Dorothy; brother Dennis (Laurie), sons Dwayne, Billy (Carrol), Neal (Melanie); daughter Lori Edwards; grandkids Kristy (Corey) Brownfield, Kimberly (Dan) Cimini, Jackie (Jon) Screpnek, Amanda Edwards, Ryan Edwards, Kenton Edwards, Kylene (Cameron) Nichols, Chad (Megan) Edwards, Janelle (Angel) Ocejo, and Joel (Molly) L’Heureux; 10 great-grandkids, and his extended family and friends. Funeral service for Bill Edwards will be held Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 2:00pm. To join the family and view the service live please CLICK HERE. Those wishing to make donations in Bill's memory can do so to the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation Cancer Treatment Fund. Services