Jun 3, 1937 - Dec 8, 2017
Bill Heighton suddenly but peacefully passed away on December 8, 2017, at Hillside Centre in Kamloops, BC. He was a resident of Cranbrook, BC, for many years.
Bill was born on June 3, 1937, in River John, Nova Scotia. He was the son of Harold and Catherine Heighton (deceased). Bill started his career at Cominco in Trail, BC, and soon became a warehouse storekeeper at various mines in Fort St. James (BC), Pine Point (NWT), Kamloops (BC), and Yellowknife (NWT). He met and married Eleanor in 1964 and they welcomed their son, Tim, in 1968.
Bill was a skilled baseball player at a young age and became an avid hockey fan. He especially enjoyed watching Tim play hockey. He loved following sports of all kinds, including curling, baseball, tennis, golf, football and more. Bill was an experienced fisherman, both from a boat and on the ice.
People remember him for his sense of humour, his contagious laughter, and his many stories. Bill was an excellent caregiver to Eleanor while she had Alzheimer's, never missing a day of visiting her at the F.W. Green Home in Cranbrook. Near the end of Bill's life, he enjoyed having coffee with friends and helping out friends in need.
Bill is survived by his son, Tim (Jennifer), sister Kay Crockett and her children Terry, Tammy, Brad, and Doug; sister Shirley Langille and her children Korry and Kelly; brother's wife Joyce Heighton and her children Calvin Jr. and Kim; and nieces and nephews Cheryl, David, Kathy and Brenda.
He is also survived by his brother-in-law Keith Pople (Maureen), and their daughter Janet (Dave) Clement. Bill is predeceased by his sister Betty (Stan) Langille, brother Calvin Heighton, brother-in-law Rod Crockett, and nephews Kevin Langille and Ken Pople.
The family would like to thank Myrna Weibe, Michelle and Mike Benson, and Linda Oliver of Cranbrook, for their support during Bill's early days of his health struggles. We would also like to thank Dr. Carol Ward and the rest of the support staff at Hillside Psychiatric Center in Kamloops for their thoughtful care.
There will be no funeral service by request. A reception to celebrate Bill's life will be announced at a later date, to be held in Trail, BC, probably in the summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (Suite 905 - 1130 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 4A4; www.cmha.bc.ca).