Mr. William ‘Bill’ Gibson passed away peacefully in his sleep, with his devoted wife, Merla by his side, at the Red Deer Hospice, on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at the age of 85 years. He was the son of his late parents, David and Hazel Gibson of Tonkin and Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He grew up on their family farm near Tonkin, attended the Armstrong country school and graduated from the Yorkton Collegiate Institute. He met and married the love of his life, Merla Gibson (nee Holland), while both attending the University of Saskatchewan to pursue Education Degrees and started their career journey as teachers in the Saskatchewan education system. Bill’s first teaching position was at Uranium City High School with the rest of his career at the Yorkton Regional High School for thirty-three years; starting as a High School Biology teacher, moving to a guidance counselor and finally as Vice Principal. The youngest of his family, Bill was always involved in sports, participating in softball in his younger years, golf and curling throughout his life, and later as an organizer in several sporting activities. He served as President of the Saskatchewan Curling Association in 1988 and received honorary membership in 1989. He also received a life membership in the Yorkton Curling Association and was inducted into the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame as a Curling and Golf Builder, in 1996. When Bill and Merla relocated to Alberta in 1998 to be closer to their grandchildren, Bill continued participating and organizing with the Retired Teachers Golf Group at River Bend Golf Club and with Senior Curling at the Red Deer Curling Club. Having chaired the Red Deer Committee that hosted the World Horseshoe Tournament in 2002, he was granted the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Alberta Horseshoe Pitchers Association. In 2004, Bill created the unique “Six in One” curling bonspiel format which has made the Red Deer Senior Bonspiel a great success since its implementation. Bill was active in the communities in which he lived. Belonging to the United Church of Canada all his life, he was part of the Westview United Church in Yorkton and the Sunnybrook United Church in Red Deer. He also served as President of the Condominium Board at Pine Point Place residence in Red Deer for fifteen years; and was an active member of the Red Deer Kiwanis club helping organize their annual golf tournament at Sylvan Lake, a fundraiser for projects benefitting the youth and seniors of Red Deer. Bill was a proud, devoted, and much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, teacher, community leader, and friend to many. As a family, Bill and Merla enjoyed several activities including, golf, curling, skiing, camping, travelling, and several family reunions. While Bill’s accomplishments were many, it was his ability to influence and inspire others and his friendly nature and positive attitude that will be his most lasting legacy. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Merla of sixty-four years; his son, Brock (Sandra), his granddaughters, Krista, Morgan, and Stacey; his son, Gray (Jocelyn), his granddaughter, Taryn (Matt Galachiuk) and his great granddaughter, Avery, his grandson, Colin, his granddaughter, Madisen; his son, Glenn (Megan), his granddaughter, Alexa; and his daughter, Noralee (Sean Bradley), and his grandsons, Brett, Connor and Ryan. Bill was predeceased by his brother, Calvert and his sisters, Joanne, Donna, Betty and Margaret. Heartfelt thanks from the family to the Nurses and Doctors on Unit 22 and Unit 33 of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and to the support staff at the Red Deer Hospice for their compassionate and professional care of Bill in his last two months. If desired, Memorial Donations in Bill’s honor may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society at www.reddeerhospice.com. A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at the Sunnybrook United Church, 12 Stanton Street, Red Deer Alberta on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2022-09-30
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com