April 27, 1924
- May 8, 2009
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Bill Anderson at Red Deer Regional Hospital on Friday, May 8, 2009. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Edna, son and daughter-in-law, Charlie and Louise, son Fred and grandchildren, Christine, Kim and Will. Bill was born in Drumheller on April 27, 1924. He loved the river and knew every good fishing hole in the Valley. When he was thirteen years old he and a buddy saved another young boy from drowning, almost drowning themselves. Just after he turned twenty, he joined the Navy and was shipped overseas and fought in WWII until the war’s end in 1945. Upon his return he never spoke of these times again. Shortly after his return home he started work for Canadian Utilities, (later Alberta Power). On July 1, 1949, he married Edna Elkes. Two sons, Charlie and Fred, were born in Drumheller. In 1953, Bill was offered the opportunity to transfer to the new town of Grande Prairie. He accepted the challenge and the family moved north where they stayed until 1963 when Aberta Power transferred him back home. In 1965, Bill bought and operated the Esso Bulk Station in Drumheller until 1970 when he went to work at Drumheller Institution until his retirement. An ordinary man, Bill took little credit for the lives he helped with his long-time association with the Legion, Elks and Alcoholics Anonymous as well as coaching hockey and baseball while his sons were growing up. His love of fishing and hunting never wavered. He caught his last fish in the fall of 2008 and would have been ready for fishing season again in 2009. He also loved to play cards and must have played with half the people in the valley - he once had a perfect bridge hand and more than one “29” hand in cribbage. He was called Dad by his sons, Grandpa by the grandkids and Ikey by everyone who knew him. At Ike’s request there will be no funeral. A celebration of his life will be held at the Drumheller Legion on Saturday, May 23, 2009, starting at 12:00 noon. The family would like to extend a very special thanks to Janine and the Drumheller EMT’s and Chris at Courtney-Winters Funeral Home. 19c
