WILLIAM JOHN (BILL) SMOLER RCAF -

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WILLIAM JOHN (BILL) SMOLER RCAF - Aircrew LAC December 18, 1916 - June 9, 2007 During a short stay at Copper Ridge Place in Whitehorse, Bill passed away peacefully on the evening of Saturday, June 9, 2007. Bill was born to Michael and Mary Smolinski in the farm country of Brokenhead Municipality, Ladywood District, near Beausejour, Manitoba on December 18, 1916, and was raised on the farm with four brothers and a sister. In 1941, Bill enlisted with the RCAF and trained as Aircrew Navigator until an honourable discharge in 1944 due to medical conditions. Bill married Cecilia Toots Bauer in Edmonton in 1945 and flew to Whitehorse the next day to work for the American Army. Yukon has been their home ever since though Bill often spoke of his family and time growing up in Manitoba's rolling hills. Bill loved sports and was an avid player and builder in various Yukon sports. In 1988, Softball Yukon honoured Bill as an initial inductee to the Softball Yukon Hall of Fame. After his retirement, Bill spent time gardening and was proud of his greenhouse accomplishments. Bill also became active in a variety of seniors organizations and represented Yukon seniors on the Canada Council on Aging for a number of years. Bill recently celebrated his 90th birthday at home, happily surrounded by his grandchildren and family. Bill is survived by his older brother Stanley (Thelma), Beausejour; wife Cecilia Toots; three children, Gary, Fort St. John (grandchildren, Curtis, Lyle, Dorian, Darlene, great-granddaughter Adrianna), Madeline, Kelowna (granddaughter Danielle), Russel (Sharlene) (grandsons, Kelvin and Riley). Funeral service to be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2007. Graveside interment at Grey Mountain Cemetery followed by a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion Local 254 Whitehorse. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon - PO Box 31183, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C0.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 16, 2007