KOWALCHUK, William (Bill)
February 13, 1924 - January 1, 2015
It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of Bill Kowalchuk on January 1, 2015 at Three Hills, Alberta. Bill was born on February 13, 1924 in Ostrania, Ukraine. When he was five years old, he came to Canada with his mother, Mary, and sisters, Annie, Lena and Helen. His father, George, had come over the year before. They settled in the Athabasca area for several years. In the 1940’s, Bill moved to Rumsey with his family. On October 29, 1952, he married the love of his life, Jeanette Uttley, and they shared 62 wonderful years together. He loved being a farmer and being able to raise his family on the farm. His favorite times were when he got together with his family and friends. Bill was very active in the Rumsey community. He was one of the original members of the Rowley Grazing Association and he was involved with the UFA, 4H and Ag Society in Rumsey. He was a lifetime member of the Big Valley Elks. He liked to play ball and go curling. In his later years he took up golfing which he really loved. He was a member of the Trochu Golf Club for over thirty years. In 2000, Bill and Jeanette moved to Trochu. They were members of the Drop In where Bill enjoyed playing cards and visiting with his friends. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette, and his five chidren, Dorothy Gwynn, Bill (Becky) Kowalchuk, Marilyn (Harold) Kenzler, Kathy MacDermid (Gordan Friedley) and John (Paula) Kowalchuk, grandchildren Heather, Erin, Lindsey (Travis), Travis, Jared ,Ryan (Kelly), Daniel (Julia), David (Christine), Brandin (Stephanie), Amanda, Jayden, Kassidy and Kaley, great grandchildren Hayden, Alina, Bronson, Claire, Jack, Carson and Devin. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Mary Kowalchuk, his sisters, Annie Kapel, Lena Kashuba and Helen Kowalchuk, and his grandchildren, Brent Kenzler and Katherine, Christopher and Morgan Gwynn. The Funeral will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Trochu Community Hall at 2 p.m., a private family graveside service will be held at the Rumsey Cemetery prior to the funeral service in Trochu. Memorial donations may be made to the Trochu Seniors Drop In. Prairie Winds Funeral Home of Trochu is in charge of the arrangements.
