1928 ~ William “Bill” Russell Theaker ~ 2023 "He was well known for his carpentry skills. Every community he lived in, he offered his skills. In his retirement he built many unique projects for friends and family. He won numerous ribbons."
Posted Dec 29, 2023 | 12:17 PM
Bill was born at home on the Theaker family farm in April of 1928. After 95 plus years he passed away peacefully in Olds, Alberta. During his long life he accomplished many things. When he decided to do something, he did it well. He spent the first part of his life in the Wilcox, SK area. He attended Todd and Wilcox School and completed his high school diploma.
He married in 1963 to Mavis Hilderman. They had one daughter, Diane. They divorced in 1979. In 1986, he married Glenna Stafford. Glenna has a son, Todd, and daughter, Tara. Together they built a life, first on the farm in Wilcox and then in Olds, Alberta.
Bill had farmed from a young age, helping any way he was able. When he finished school, he started his own farm after purchasing land from his father. He was a pedigreed seed grower and member of the Saskatchewan and Canadian Seed Growers Associations, and Secan. He designed and built a seed cleaning plant to further improve the quality of his product. His attention to detail was rewarded when he won the World Championship Pedigreed Wheat award at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 1989 in Toronto.
During the winter months he pursued other options. He learned to build boats and taught himself how to fix snowmobile engines while working in Regina. One winter he went to St. Catherine’s, Ontario to work on the St. Lawrence Seaway.
He was well known for his carpentry skills. Every community he lived in, he offered his skills. In his retirement he built many unique projects for friends and family. He won numerous ribbons.
He enjoyed restoration of his VW beetle, golfing, fishing, curling, wine making, RVing, and skiing. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel internationally. He also made numerous trips in the RV with family and friends.
Bill offered his time volunteering and serving on various boards, at the Wilcox School and Bratts Lake municipality in Saskatchewan. In his retirement in Alberta, he again offered his carpentry skills and time. He joined the Kiwanis club and participated in community projects.
Bill is survived by his wife, Glenna, of 37 years; his daughter Diane Jamison (Kelly), Grandchildren Corey, Andrew, and Haley Jamison, all from Calgary. Todd Stafford (Shaunon), grandchildren Courtney and Ashlee of Brockville, Ontario, Tara McLeod (Stu), grandchildren Katie, Meagan, and Lindsay of Saskatchewan
Memorials or donations may be made to either the Olds Hospital Foundation or the Kiwanis Club in Olds, Alberta.
- Date : 2023-12-29
- Location : Locally Family Owned (Red Deer) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Olds) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com