Will Cawkell served Vernon as family physician for 46 years, passes at 84

Photo: Family photo

A longtime Vernon doctor who served thousands of patients over a 46-year local career in medicine has died.

William (Will) Cawkell passed away Nov. 19. He was 84.

He and wife of 59 years Diane came to Vernon in 1968.

Cawkell graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1964.

He was one of the first doctors to serve through the Vernon Family Doctors Clinic in both Lumby and Vernon. He also operated his own practice in a heritage home in downtown Vernon.

He was also one of the last doctors to still make house calls until his retirement eight years ago.

After graduating, Cawkell spent a year traveling in Europe by motorcycle and playing semi-professional hockey in Holland.

His "adventurous nature" took him to Cook County Hospital in Chicago for a two-year internship, followed by two years with Care Medico in Algeria and Malaysia.

A man of faith, Diane said his "adventuresome personality" led Will to walk the El Camino pilgrimage trail in Spain in 2000.

"He loved living on the lake, sailing, hockey, skiing and took golf as well in retirement," she says.

"His life was well lived, and he will be missed by all those who knew him," his obituary reads.

Cawkell is survived by his wife, Diane, children Jason, Julia, Winston, and Jonathan, plus five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at St. James Catholic Church Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.