Obituaries

RAYMOND, William (Bill)

November 5th, 1959 – September 11, 2021

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Bill after a short battle with cancer. Bill was born in Kamloops to Raymond and Marie Wallace.

Throughout Bill’s life he suffered emotional and physical pain from Cerebral Palsy. Despite this pain he always had a smile on his face and was able to make the most out of his life. He accepted his disability without using it as a crutch or an excuse. He was admired by friends and family as a trooper and never let this disability get in his way of accomplishing goals in his life. He did everything with enthusiasm and without much complaint.

Bill was part of the 3rd Kamloops Scout Troop. He participated in the Cub, Scout and Venturer programs. During those years he attended many camps. He participated in a hike up to the scout cabin at the top of Apex ski hill, he canoed the Thomson River from Savona to Ashcroft and attended many Bush Creek Camps. At the age of 18, Bill received the Jack Cornwell Decoration which was presented to him by the Governor General of Canada in Ottawa. The recipients of this award are noted for their character and devotion to duty or special acts of courage.

Bill was a long time member of People in Motion. He worked for his dad at Wallace Upholstery. He loved going to the TCC gym and the Kamloops Blazers. Bill was quite passionate about hooking rugs. Some of his finest included his Dad’s Model T, a Scotsman, a Cricket, The Blazers logo, a Rocky Mountaineer Train, Wallace Upholstery and many more. Bill was the Kamloops Blazer’ #1 fan, for decades he hardly missed a game. His room at KSV was decorated with Blazer memorabilia including signed jerseys and hockey sticks.

Bill’s everlasting smile and the slight frown above his glasses will be forever missed. He will be forever in our hearts and remembered by his mother Marie, his sisters Rosemarie (Grant), and Judy (George), and step siblings Debbie (Sieg), Dan (Dawn), Dale (Carrie), brother-in-law Carey and sister-in-law Donna, and many nieces, nephews and greats. As well as, many friends and family members. Bill was predeceased by his brother Stephan, step-mom Cricket, and dad Raymond.

We are so thankful for the many years and memories we had with William, he will be greatly missed by all. The family would like to give a very BIG Thank You to the staff at KSV, especially 1B, for these past five years for taking great care and becoming Bill’s extended family. We appreciate everything that you did, and we know that Bill’s life was better because you were all a part of it. We would also like to thank Bonnie Peterson who for the past 5 years met Bill at TCC, and worked with him at the gym to keep his arm strength up.

There will be no celebration of life at this time.