Obituary of Bruce Woodley

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Bruce Woodley, a resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at the age of 82 years.

Bruce was born on October 31, 1940, to Robert and Elizabeth Woodley in Minitonas, Manitoba.  Bruce grew up on the family farm with his three older siblings.  He did farm work with horses and learned a lot about raising, handling and caring for the various farm animals.  He learned to be self- sufficient and where his keen interest in mechanics started.

Bruce was adventurous and traveled out to British Columbia in the early 1960s where he found a mechanical job at an auto repair garage in Campbell River on Vancouver Island.  He then moved to Kelowna in 1967 and spent many years honing is mechanical skills at Kelowna Motors.

Bruce met Karolyn in 1980 and they married soon after and Karolyn’s four daughters became his stepchildren. They lived in West Bank where Bruce made some fantastic wine and grew a beautiful garden including Bruce’s wonderful beefsteak tomatoes.  Over the years many trips back to Manitoba were made to visit with family and friends or to attend a special function.  Bruce and Karolyn liked to travel and memorable trips north to the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alaska were made.

Bruce and Karolyn moved to Dawson Creek in 1988 and lived on an acreage just north of the Kilkaren Hall on the 225 Road.  They raised a few horses, chickens, cats and dogs and tended to the garden. 

Bruce went to work for School District 59 driving School Bus on various routes throughout the rural school district, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  He then went driving the city transit bus where he met a lot of people who liked him due to his friendly, pleasant and outgoing nature.  Bruce retired from driving bus in 2008 and later he and Karolyn moved into town.

Bruce had a kind heart, was a gentle soul and had a strong work ethic and a meticulous nature.  He loved to play pool, snooker, darts and horseshoes and seemed to always win a trophy or two at various tournaments he played in.

Bruce was predeceased by his wife Karolyn; parents Robert and Elizabeth; brothers’ Norman and Richard ‘Chuck’; sister Kathleen ‘Kay’; and his step-grandson Jason Lyne. 

Bruce will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his stepdaughters and their spouses and family members, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

At Bruce’s request no formal service will be held and interment to be at a later date in the Willow Valley Cemetery, next to his beloved wife Karolyn.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Bruce to the Willow Valley Cemetery, Peace River E, BC V0C 2J0.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium