WRIGHT, Robert William (Bill)
14 March 1943 – 27 March 2016
Bill’s family [daughter Kristen, siblings Judy (Ray), Jim (Isabelle), Frank, (Lola) and Donnie (Jock)] announce, with a profound sense of loss, his death on Sunday, March 27, 2016 from a form of leukemia.
Bill was a guy who could make you smile when he walked in the room in anticipation of filling our hearts with laughter. He had an uncanny wit and ability to tell a great story, which was always interrupted with a snort and a giggle prior to the delivery of the punch line. He was also the guy who recently made us cry our hearts out when we lost him.
Bill was born in Regina and raised in Swift Current, a close community that supported his love of music in the local marching band as a drummer, and cultivated his interests and ability in many sports, especially hockey, which he continued to play well into adulthood. Bill was a talented drummer in three Rock and Roll bands, The Tornados, The Flares, and Mel West and the Meteors, and had a short stint as radio announcer with CKSW. He joined the Air Force and trained as a firefighter, and followed by a lifelong career in the airline industry in Calgary, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Bill was always very close with his friends from all over the world and his passing has brought many responses, exhibiting the impact his unique and humorous personality had on everyone he met.
Bill was the ultimate minimalist who maximized life. As an avid golfer, we all suspect he is now enjoying time on the “19th hole”. Bill will be missed; the cherished father of Kristen, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend and the life of the party.
In his honour, please raise a glass, share an outstanding joke and remember the value of true friends and family.
0 Comments
Gail mcleod
Bill will be missed! He definitely had the Wright humour ! RIP
Gail Wright McLeod xo
Jen Buller
So sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you always!
Bob Dahl
I was so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, he was a great story teller and always ready with a recollection of something that struck him funny. He will be missed, my condolences to all the family .
Cindi CESCON
Bill truly was a card. He would have people rolling in laughter. My condolences to the Wright family.
Jean and Dave Cyca
This write-up is a great reminder of Bill’s personality. We’ll have a toast in his honour tonight.
Frank van Gisbergen
Bill was always the life of the party and provided light moments at work.
We will all miss him.. Strength to his family.. rip bud..
Dan Fallwell
i have nothing but great memories of our time together working at CP Air and Canadian Airlines! So many laughs and good times..I regret so much not staying in touch as much as I should have.. He was the best!! Great laugs.. Great memories..
Until we meet again!
Pat Doyle
I am so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. My condolences to your whole family. I have so many great and funny memories of our airline days and especially of our year together as roommates in Toronto in 1968/69 at the “White House”
Farewell Billy …… Bon Voyage
Richard Gotfried (Cathay Pacific retiree)
Bill was one of my very first and very engaging and friendly airline reps when I first got into travel. A few years later we became always friendly competitors, and I have many fond memories of his gregarious nature. Enjoy that 19th hole my friend!
Sandra Rickson
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Have many great memories of long ago days in Vancouver and Calgary of our CP-Air and Canadian Airlines days. Shared many good times and lots of giggles.
Our condolences to Kristen and the rest of Bill’s family.
Sincerely,
Sandra (Gail) Rickson
Patti Archibald
Bonnie Ruth
Hearts and hugs to all of Bill’s family and friends. Although often defined by his antics and humour, I remember him for his intelligence and his sensitivity. Looking forward to joining his celestial rock band in the sweet by and by…
Love, Bonnie Ruth
Richard Benedetti
I may have lost touch with Bill over the years but I thought of him, and our days in YYCSDCP, many times and the great days they truly were. RIP Billy.
Greg Nemish
We are very sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. Deepest condolences go out to Kristen and the rest of his family. I have many fun work and golfing memories with Billy “White Shoes”. He will be missed but not forgotten. God Bless.
Randa and Greg Nemish.
Paul Paulsen
My condolences to the family. I have many, many, fond memories of sharing the odd bevy with Bill, especially when he lived on Davie St. in Vancouver. Bill, your story telling and giggle won’t be forgotten. Rest in peace buddy.
Wade Harper
So sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. Thoughts and prayers go out to Kirsten and the rest of the family. I worked with Bill at YYCSDCP and I can’t count how many times he cracked me up. Even at our wedding almost 30 years ago his laugh could be heard throughout the hall. Will miss you buddy!
Russ Sayles
I remember Bill fondly when he welcomed me to Calgary back in the late eighties, when I moved out from far off Nordair and Ontario. It was sometimes a stressful time coping with airline mergers and downsizing every few months, it seemed, but Bill was always there to help relieve any pressure and get us all laughing out loud.
He and I left the airline together years later and I remember going out with him as we (sort of) planned our futures together. He really was much larger than life; I can picture him and hear him clearly in my minds eye today. A great guy who knew how to keep things in perspective. I thought of him often over the years. My condolences to family and friends.
Richard Brown
So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Bill and I shared a room at the old Skyline Hotel in YVR for our initial training at Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1967. Later in YYZ we shared an apartment at “Duke’s Court”. Those early years in the airline business were lived to the fullest by Bill, Pat Doyle, Paul Goodman and myself. Bill’s wit, sense of fun and zest for life will be remembered and missed by so many.
Mike and Lois Stefaniuk
We were very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing and our thoughts are with all family members. We know he will be truly missed but also know that you have many wonderful memories that will give you strength at this time.
Tony Grimaldi
Sorry to hear of Bill’s passing my condolence to the Family
Marlie Field Kelsey
Very sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. He had a laugh and smile that would bring sunshine to the room he was in.
Norm & JoAnn Shannon
Kristen & Family:
We were so sorry to read of Bill’s passing. Don’t think there ever was a day when Bill wasn’t smiling or making other people smile. The airline business was never the same after Bill retired. RIP Bill.
Norm & JoAnn Shannon
Calgary, Alberta
Greg & Marian Smith
Sorry to hear of Billy’s passing, our thoughts are with the family.
He always had a smile on his face and helped us all get through the tough times at CPAIR. We had many laughs in YYCSDCP thanks to him.
Bill will be missed by all that new him.
We will hoist a glass to him to night and remember the good times.
Paul Goodman
Very sorry to hear of Bill,s passing.Still remember the great days living with,Bill and Pat Doyle whilst working for CP Air in Toronto.He had a great sense of humour and a laugh I will never forget….God Bless you Bill.
Jack and Michelle Quinn
We were saddened by the news of the passing of Bill. Enjoyed many a drink and a natter about the airline days at CP Air and Canadian. Bill will be sorely missed for his humour and goodwill. God Bless.
Bill Paulsen
I brought Bill into the YYC sales office as a sales rep. He was a joy to have around and could always keep us entertained at a boring sales meeting. Rest in peace my friend
gord bruce
One night many yrs. ago Bill and I were in Saskatoon and up to no good. He told me
not to worry how the evening was turning out. If things turn bad we will have something
funny to talk about when we grow old. When ever I think of Bill or the rest of the Wrights
I have to smile.
Cathy Fortune
Dear Kristen, I’m Dave Fortune’s mom Cathy. Your dear Dad and I worked together for many years. So many of the condolence messages say the same thing – we will all miss his delightfully impish humor and his cheery nature. A week before I took early retirement from CP, your Dad and Dan Fallwell took me out for a goodbye lunch. My fondest memory of that lunch was when your Dad took the Champagne cork and stuck a quarter in it. His only comment when he gave it to me was “so you will never be broke”. Your Dad will be missed.
Jim Rathwell
My Condolences to The Wright Family;
It has been many years since I had seen Bill in Calgary and of course grew up with the Wright family in Speedy Creek but I know his loss will be remembered . Bill always had a smile on his face and a positive approach to life. Life was an experience to Bill and he never tired of telling stories about it and what was happening.
Clare Ash
Always enjoyed our meetings.
Rest in peace
Dirk & Debbie Scott
Our thoughts and condolences go to the family. We had some fun times and conversations with Bill and he’ll be missed.
Dirk and Debbie
Di Anne Maczko (nee Campbell)
Our heartfelt condolences to the Wright family from the Campbell family – Stewart, Di Anne and Janet.
Bob Lewis
What a sad day for the Wright family and all of us who knew Bill. Few had the infectious ability to tell a story and make us laugh the way Bill did. He will be deeply missed.
Bill Dempsey
Growing up In Swift Current, Bill was one of my best friends. We played in the band together, played sports – just “hung out” – you name it, we did it together. Over the years, we kept in touch via e-mail and even played “remember when” years ago when I met him at a high school re-union. Bill was one of the best guys you could ever meet and he will be missed by a lot of people. myself included. Thanks for being part of my life Bill. I will never forget you.
Ron and Bette Lewis
It’s been many years since we last saw Bill but have never forgotten his wonderful sense of humour. He will be missed by many.
Ron and Bette Lewis
Elaine Jerome, Pat Dzuba, Jan Unger
When you think back over the years of all the people who touched your life, few had the impact of Bill. He really was such a good guy. Our neighbourhood was always full of fun and SCCI’s walls could tell so many tales of the tomfoolery that Bill and the boys were responsible for. A friend and a character through and through. Our sincere condolences to you all. The memories are many.
David Williams
One of the funniest guys I have ever known. In payload control he kept us all in stitches with his antics. He is probably the reason I passed my probation RIP my friend
Jack Khan and Barb.
Kristen. Sorry about Billy passing away. I know he was very happy that you came to Richmond to take care of him while he was in the Hospital. I’ll miss having a drink and chatting with him.
Donna MacFarlane
Sad to hear of Bill’s passing. I will remember our days in YVR Res working with Bill who always was full of energy and smi les. It was always fun listening to Bill’s stories and laughter in our days at Sales Conferences.
Condolences to the family in their time of loss.
Donna MacFarlane
Dirk Bannister
Bill was one of the best! He will be missef by a lot of folk!
Bruce Nagel
I have great memories of working with Billy White Shoes at yycap. My deepest condolences.
Murray MacMurchy
Last saw him at a CPAir reunion in YVR. He new so many people there. Thanks for the laughs while working YYCAP. Catch up with you on the flip side.
Rena Schipizky Willson
So sad to hear Billy has left us for now. I have many fond memories of our buddy at Yvrrm and Yycap. Shared many laughs…
Marlene McPhee
My visits out to Richmond will not be the same without you. It was a pleasure knowing you. RIP Bill.
Dallas Toews
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Dallas Toews
Ron Meyers
I was very sorry and surprised to hear of the recent passing of Bill. Our childhood and adolescent escapades in Swift were certainly memories. We had a great deal of fun and never missed one without a lot of laughs EVENTHO some seemed life threatening at the time. My condolences to the family. My memories of Bill will last a lifetime.
Jim Wright
I was very sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. Our childhood escapades were fantastic and will always be memories. My condolences to Bill’s family. My memories of him will last forever.
Jim
hidigo aden
You will always remember, RIP
James (Bud) Wright
I never met my cousin Bill, that I know of. Maybe he saw me and Ken when we were very young. My belated condolences.
James (Bud) wright
Jenny Wright
Miss you Uncle Bill. Funniest and dearest man there ever was. You made me laugh like few ever have. Seems like your mission in life was to bring light into peoples lives. xo rip Jenny