Jan 1, 1925 - Apr 26, 2018
It is with deep sorrow that the family of William Leslie Sloman (Bill), of Trail, B.C. announces his passing on April 26, 2018 at the age of 93 years.
Bill, or Leslie, as he was known to immediate family while growing up, was born on a homestead in Webb, Saskatchewan on January 1, 1925, to Bruce and Elizabeth Sloman. He was the youngest of 3 boys. His dad died when he was just 4 years old, at the beginning of the Great Depression. His mother remarried 4 years later. The new combined family of 6 boys and 2 girls settled in Ravenscrag in the Cypress Hills. The children created strong family bonds and a great love of the outdoors as they were free to roam the beautiful hills.
Bill worked at various occupations before joining the army in his late teens. He became a paratrooper with the Princess Patricia regiment based in Calgary towards the end of the Second World War. This is where he met the love of his life, Gwen Pearson. They married soon after and eventually settled, built a house with their own hands, and had 3 children in Pincher Creek, Alberta.
He enjoyed becoming a trombone player with the Pincher Creek Band, wiener roasts, and skating on and swimming in the creek, and enjoying just about anything else in the great outdoors with the family and a large group of friends. Bill and Gwen especially loved to dance, and enjoyed learning many different styles over the years.
In 1965, opportunity brought them to Trail and then Rossland, where they finished raising their kids on a steady diet of skiing and any other outdoor activities they could think of. He loved Rossland and the friends and lifestyle he found there, immensely.
Bill was a plumber, pipefitter and gasfitter by trade and worked for Cominco. The big strike of 1974 sent him looking for work. He found it at AGT (now Telus) in Calgary, where he worked until his retirement. The Calgary years were full of fixing up another home, quietly and joyfully welcoming grandchildren into his life, and enjoying get togethers with family and friends. He was one of the pioneers of the 'riding your bike to work' movement, and he had many adventures with that.
BC lured Bill and Gwen back after retirement, and they again settled in the Trail area for Bill's remaining 25 years. The B.C. years saw the birth of greatgrandchildren, fixing up 2 more houses, golfing, curling, cross country skiing, and especially helping his kids and grandkids at the drop of a hat.
Bill's passions were Gwen, family, dancing, skiing, golfing, and just about anything else he could enjoy in the great outdoors with family and friends. Although basically a quiet guy, he loved to party, had a great sense of humour, and was a terrific handyman. He built 2 family homes over the years, and did major renovations to others. He was always there to help anyone fix and build anything. All they had to do was ask. He loved to read and educate himself on anything and everything.
His most precious legacy was passing on a love of reading and lifelong learning, 'doing it yourself' and especially the joys of exploring the great outdoors with family. On the morning of the last day of his life, he gamely struggled out of his chair to go for a walk.
He leaves to mourn for him, his wife of 68 years, and love of his life, Gwen, 3 children, Lance Sloman (Julianne) grandchildren Connor (Ashley) Aidan (Megan), Deborah Detmold (Murray) grandchildren Lynda, Christie, Adam, Cara and Janna (Erik), Leslie Kennedy (Jacek) grandchildren Genevieve, Dawn (Michael), Marina (Rory). Greatgrandchildren Ayrden, Cayden, Beckett, Aremis and Scarlett, and many other relatives.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thankyou to all the staff of Rosewood Village for their compassionate care this last year and a half, and to Dr. Behrens and Dr. Edge as well.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Trail United Church in Trail, B.C. at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 4. Gwen Ziprick of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence by visiting the family's register at www.myalternatives.ca.
It was Bill's wish to be cremated and be interred with Gwen eventually in the family grave plot in Pincher Creek. Rather than donations to any particular charity, he would have wanted everyone to think of helping others, enjoying family, and preserving nature. 
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services