Obituary of William Aubrey Tracey

Bill Tracey, a long time resident of Chetwynd, B.C. passed away on Monday, December 9, 2013 in Chetwynd at the age of 74 years. William Aubrey Tracey was born on November 4, 1939 in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan. He went to school in Loon Lake, SK and like many students of that time, he left school after Grade 8 and went looking for work. Bill came to BC from Saskatchewan in 1956 to Chetwynd, which was known as Little Prairie back then. His parents moved to BC about that time along with his two younger brothers. He worked several jobs at first, he helped build the local hotel, he worked for BC Hydro but the BC forest industry was just taking off and Bill wanted to be a part of it. The winter of 1957 he started working for the Krauchi and Neuls Sawmill. During spring break up and fall freeze-up, Bill would head back to Loon Lake with his brother Gerald and a couple other friends who had come from Saskatchewan. Back home they would work for farmers. Edna, Billy's sister had married and they had taken up farming so the extra hands were always welcome. In 1958 Bill was looking to settle down. He fell in love with and married Bernice Campbell in June of that year. They made their home on an acreage west of town. By this time, Bill was working for Canfor where he was an exemplary employee for many years. In March of 1973, Bill and Bernice were overjoyed when their son Terry was born. In 1996 their son Terry married Dawn and later in 2000 and 2001 their family grew to include their grandchildren Kirsten and Kelly, who brought a real sparkle to their Papa's eyes. Bill struggled with many health challenges in recent years after suffering a serious stroke which left him initially with no mobility on one side, and later another stroke which limited his mobility even more. The road was rough and he fought hard to get his mobility back. But it was not meant to be, on December 9 while in hospital, he quietly and gently slipped from this world. Bill was blessed with many friends, the love of a close knit family and the love of an extraordinary wife who was his main caregiver, and put his needs before her own. Billy was predeceased by his father William Tracey Sr. and his mother Bernice Tracey, as well as his brother-in-law Albert Brinsky. Billy leaves to mourn his loving wife Bernice, their son Terry and his wife Dawn and their two precious grandchildren Kirsten and Kelly, as well as sister Edna Brinsky and his two brothers Gerald (Barbra) and Ken Tracey. A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the Chetwynd Fellowship Baptist Church. Interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Bill to the Chetwynd Hospital Foundation, Box 121, Chetwynd, BC V0C-1J0 for the purchasing of new hospital equipment. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium