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William Desmond (Bill) Chandler

April 3, 2017

October 27, 1922 - April 3, 2017 Early in the morning of April 3, Bill finally found his opening in the pearly gates; he often joked that he’d tried to get into heaven quite a few times, but Saint Peter kept slamming the gate shut. The path was clear this time, and he died peacefully and with great dignity with his four children by his side. Bill was predeceased by his parents Frank and Connie Chandler, and sisters Phyllis Lindstrom, Daphne Green and Winifred Inkster and by his wife Barbara, in 1999, after 54 years of marriage. He is survived by his son Bill Jr. (Linda) and their children Erin Pelletier (Gerald) Avery, Cohen & Taylor; Laurie Vest (Jason) Mya, Nolan & Rylee; Nicole Lloyd (Phil) Liam & Easton; his daughter Pat Mullaney (Jim) and their children Michael Mullaney, Marnie Crozier (Josh) Malakhi & Sophia; Jamie Cooke (Chris) Jayden & Charlize; and his daughters Linda Chandler (Ken) and Joan Chandler. His 4 children & their spouses, his 6 grandchildren and their spouses, and his 12 great grandchildren will remember him fondly as a true family man. He showed genuine interest and pride in all his family members and was always first in line with a pat on the back. He was generous to a fault and liberal in distributing “pink money” for birthdays and Christmas and at other times when there was no occasion at all. Bill was born in Kaslo, BC. He was a WWII veteran who served as a radio operator with the Calgary Highlanders Infantry and saw action in Europe and particularly in the liberation of Holland in 1944 and 1945. To his last days, he remembered the boys who didn’t make it home and strove to live a life of integrity that would honour their sacrifice. He worked for Cominco for over 40 years in Trail, Tulsequah, Kimberley, Saskatoon and Elkford. Bill and Barb retired in Trail in 1985 where they spent happy years close to old friends who will recall Bill whistling in his tomato patch and Barb picking her raspberries in her little white hat. When Barb’s health began to fail, they moved to Victoria, and closer to family. Bill assumed the role of Barb’s devoted caregiver with his typical attention to efficiency and detail; cooking, housekeeping and taking her for daily drives and picnics. After Barb’s passing, until the fall of 2010, Bill lived a very independent life, but when he realized he needed a little help, he decided to move to The Berwick. Most recently, he has been a resident of The Lodge at Broadmead. Changing locations is never easy, but Bill took it all in stride and made new friends quickly wherever he landed. He especially valued his friendships with Verna Gilhooly and Muriel Rennie. Bill faced the challenges of grief and loss, physical limitations, and chronic discomfort by having the courage to be happy and grateful. His feisty spirit remained strong to the very end as he hung on through the night until his son Bill Jr. could join his sisters at his bedside. Bill could laugh at himself and had a gift for making others laugh. His signature humor resulted in him re-naming family, friends and work mates with no regard for their social position or personal preference. We all remember the crazy nicknames…. Fluffy, Dingaling & Jimmy Jesus; Chumchum, Bulldog & Goldie; Googie, Cricket & Nickolee; Bosun, Lug & Dooner; his angels, NinnyBin and Punky; faithful friend Buck and his beloved Grizz … to name only a few. His last years were full of visits from friends and family and whether their visits were daily or occasional he never failed to engage them in great conversation and thank them for coming. Bill had a special relationship with his nephew Roy Green and his wife Margie and the family is so grateful for the support they provided. The family was also touched by the compassionate Broadmead community and especially by Bill’s caregivers who came by, one after another, during Bill’s last hours, and took time to say a heartfelt ‘goodbye’ before they went off shift. Linda and Joan cared for their dad daily and their devotion and love gave him a quality of life that would not otherwise have been possible. He will be missed, but we take heart because as we grieve, he is probably busy re-christening all the saints in heaven. No service is planned; the family will gather in the summer for a celebration of life and to inter Bill and Barb’s ashes at Royal Oak Cemetery in Victoria. Those wishing to express condolences can reach the family through http://www.earthsoption.com/obituaries/obituary-listings



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