Nov 4, 1941 - May 20, 2018
Wilf passed away on May 20th 2018 in the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital at the age of 76 with his family at his side. He was loved for his kind and gentle disposition and he faced his final illness with characteristic humour, strength and determination.
Wilf was born in Trail on November 4th, 1941 to Alf and Ethel Hayton, one of 5 children. He was a very talented and versatile musician - in addition to having a great voice, he taught himself to play guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and sax and he could play any song by ear. He especially loved rock 'n roll and played in local bands from the age of 15 onwards. Notably, he was lead guitarist and singer for the Piltdown Men and Pembroke Ltd. Both these bands had considerable success in the Inland Empire and Pacific Northwest, including recording sessions in Los Angeles.
In 1972 he moved to Vancouver and established himself as a successful singles act. He was house musician for the Palisades Hotel in Vancouver for a number of years, played in a variety of venues in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan and recorded many original songs. But what he loved most was to return to the Kootenays periodically to play with his old band mates. Wilf played and recorded under several "aliases" and one that stuck was Bungo Straits. Thus he became Bungo to many who knew and loved him.
He is survived by Joanne Beetstra, his loving partner of 46 years, his brother Rick Hayton, his nephews Dayne Hayton (Erika) and Patrick Hayton (Siobhan) and his beloved great-niece Keegan and great-nephew Zachary. He also cherished his relationships with his "in-laws" - John and Patti Buchanan and sons Jake and Patrick, Mike and Heather Beetstra, and Garth and Shellie Beetstra and daughters Amanda and Kelsey, and, of course, his mother-in-law, Dorothy Beetstra. He was predeceased by his sister Lynn, twin brother Lee, sister-in-law Nancy, and brother Ken.
Wilf was so happy to make the permanent move back to the Kootenays in April 2017 to be close to family and friends and we are so sad that he only had one year to enjoy it.
A Celebration of Wilf's life will be held on Thursday, June 14th at 3:00 pm at the Warfield Community Hall with Gwen Ziprick, Celebrant. The service will be followed by a musician's jam and dance. Bill Clark of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Servicestm has been entrusted with arrangements.
The family would like to thank Dr. Miles Smith and the staff of the KBRH Emergency Department, ICU, and 3rd Floor Medical for their professionalism and compassion.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Wilf's name may be made to the KBRH Health Foundation at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.myalternatives.ca
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services