Obituaries

PALMER, William (Bill) Amadee

June 15, 1928 - September 24, 2019

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Palmer. Bill passed peacefully after a short courageous battle with Cancer. At the time of his passing, his wife and lifelong companion of sixty-nine years, Olga and their children; Douglas (Lynette) Palmer, Frederick (Valerie) Palmer and Jeanette (Gregory) Helfrich were at his side.

Bill is also survived by his grandchildren; Jamie (Kyle) Holmes, Stacie (Trevor) Scheller, Lynden (Lana) Palmer and Lyndsay Helfrich, great-grandchildren; Austin and Rylin Scheller, Rorie and Kashleigh Holmes as well as his brother Jim Palmer, sister Amanda (Bubbles) Bodnard and many other loving family members. He was predeceased by his parents, Doug and Agnus Palmer (nee: Bedard) and grandson, Brett Helfrich.

Bill was born at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops on June 15, 1928. He was the eldest of three children. They were raised on the 7-0 Ranch in Heffley Creek, where Bill and Olga raised their family as well. In 1968, the ranch sold and Bill moved his family to Rayleigh, where he resided until his passing.

Bill loved the “Cowboy Way” of life. He enjoyed their purebred Hereford cattle purebred sheep and his Quarter Horses. He enjoyed the sport of rodeo in which he received his lifetime membership to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Assn. in June 1978 and competed in the Calf Roping and later enjoyed Team Roping. Bill along with his brother Jim, were inducted into the B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2009 in the “Ranching Legacy” category. Bill enjoyed working at the B.C. Livestock Producers Co-Operative Assn. for 42 years. He enjoyed many hunting trips, fun times curling, playing cards and going dancing with their lifelong friends.

He touched many lives and leaves us all with many cherished memories. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, near and far.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the Royal Inland Hospital and will be forever grateful to the nurses, staff and volunteers and the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home for their tender and loving care in Bill’s last days with us.

Prayers will be recited at St. John Vianney Catholic Church Tuesday October 1, 2019 at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church October 2, 2019 at 10:30 am. Monsignor Jerry Desmond officiating.

In lieu of flowers and in Bill’s memory, donations to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Association (www.kamloopshospice.com) would be greatly appreciated.

Condolence Messages

Sep 27, 2019
Olga and family. We did not know Bill that long but he was a great friend, it was a pleasure to have known him. Our condolences.

Cheryl and Herb Irwin.
Sep 26, 2019
Our thoughts are with you in this time of grieve.

Sincerely Phil & Sharon
Sep 26, 2019
Dear Fred, Val & Lynden,

So sad to hear about the passing of your father/ grandfather. It sounds like he was quite the guy. Our thoughts will be with you at this tough time.

Randy & Celine
Sep 25, 2019
Dear Fred, Val and family,

We’re sending our deepest condolences during this very difficult time. We knew your Dad as “Wild Bill” and he never disappointed us! He was a fine man and a good friend. Thoughts and prayers to you. Sharkey and Susan
Sep 25, 2019
Dear Fred, Val & Lynden,

Our deepest condolences to you all. May your wonderful memories give you peace.

With Love & Compassion,

Patti & Sam
Sep 25, 2019
Our sincerest condolences. We are sorry to hear of your loss.

Sending our thoughts and hugs,

Dan & Wendy Hilbrecht
Sep 25, 2019
Our deepest condolences Fred and Val. Sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you.

Sincerely, Derrick and Sharon Elliott