William ‘Bill’ Meerman
1931 - 2011
It was a summer day on August 6, 1931 when Bill was born on the homestead at Riverside, BC. He was born Wilhelmus Cornelis Meerman but was fondly remembered as Bill, Dad, Farm Opa, Willy, Pete, Friend and Grandpa.
It all began in 1958, Bill and Doreen met and it was love at first sight. She worked at the Alaskan Cleaners and he used to bring his bus uniforms in to have them cleaned. He was a pretty good looking dude in his uniform, I guess you could say she took him to the cleaners. After a couple of years of courting, usually on foot or by bus as he did not have a car, their love blossomed, and they decided to make it official. On May 14, 1960 they were happily married.
Bill was blessed with a loving wife, 2 children, 2 grandchildren, 6 great grand children as well as a host of adopted children all of whom he loved dearly.
Bill and Doreen were fortunate to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary last year and the rest is history.
Bill was many things to many people, to his family he was the guy that was always there, he was easy going, kind, and generous to a fault. Someone who always had a smile and was willing to hand out some good sound advice even though you thought you had life all figured out.
To his friends he was the person that they could always call on to lend and hand, with anything that needed to be done. Whether it was helping with the harvest, babysitting one of the kids or doing his favorite thing, the night shift, during calving season, Bill was always the person you could come to ask for help, he was always ready and willing to assist anyone at anytime. We are so thankful that up until the last days he was doing what he loved most. “Helping friends”
Bill was a great story teller, and loved nothing better than to sit beside the fire in his old chair, and just shoot the breeze with anyone who wanted to talk. He had a gift and could talk to anyone, he just had that easy way about him that made everyone just want to spend time with him.
One of his greatest loves was his animals. He always had one or two critters hanging about the farm. We all remember him walking across the yard heading to the barn like the pied piper with his dog, and cats never far behind. You know you’ve lived a good life when you have worn out several dogs, Spot, Skip, Jake, Shannia, Toby and Zipper were all Bill’s favorites each in their own way. His current best friend was Sid who will carry on at the farm at Doreen’s side, caring for her like he did Bill.
Bill knew Canada from East to West and North to South, he always had an entertaining story to tell or a bit of history and knowledge to share.
Wayne and Shari also realize how much Bill and Doreen did for their family while they were growing up. The hours that they worked behind the scenes, making sure that they were safe, warm, dry, and loved without them even knowing just how hard “that team” really worked to make their lives easy. They came to realize that it was “that team” that made our family.
There is no good time to lose a parent, husband, loved one or friend. We celebrated a full and generous life with Bill, and though we wanted it to be longer, we realize that it’s not over, the extra time we wanted with him is actually the time that we have NOW to enjoy our family and loved ones.
We cherish the moments we had, we remember the good times, love and laughter. So with this….. Dad/Grandpa/Bill… and memories to many to mention, we say……
“Catch you Later”
A memorial service was held on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm at the St. James Presbyterian Church, Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Reverend Barbara Pilozow officiated.
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